Wilton Manors, Florida (June 12, 2018) –In the spirit of pride and inclusion, more than 35,000 individuals from all across the state, country and globe will come together in Wilton Manors for the 19th Annual Stonewall Parade & Festival. The event will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 4 p.m. on Wilton Drive, with the parade beginning at 5 p.m.A $5 entrance fee donation will be collected to support increased security and infrastructure costs for the event.
The following road closures are planned to accommodate ingress and egress to and from the event festivities:
Wilton Drive from NE 21stStreet to Five Points will be closed from 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2018, to 4 a.m. on Sunday, June 17, 2018. NE 22ndStreet will be closed from Wilton Drive to NE 5thAve., and NE 23rdStreet will be closed from Wilton Drive to NE 6thAvenue. Water-filled barricades positioned on Wilton Drive will have openings for pedestrians to flow but block vehicles from driving through. Wilton Drive will reopen for traffic on Sunday, June 17, 2018.
Ride-sharing to and from the event is encouraged. The ride sharing location map details the following designated drop-off and pick-up areas:
- City Parking Lot, 840 NE 2ndStreet
- Woman’s Club, 600 NE 21stCourt
- Richardson Park, 1937 Wilton Drive
- Wilton Manors Library, 500 NE 26thStreet
The parking location map details the following paid parking options ($20 per car):
- City Hall, 2020 Wilton Drive
- Municipal Complex, 2100 Dixie Highway
- Richardson Park, 1937 Wilton Drive
- Fort Lauderdale High School, 1600 NE 4thAvenue
- 23rdDrive at NE 11thAvenue
- 8thTerrace at 26thStreet
There will be limited reserved parking spaces at Hagen Park allowing in and out privileges. The cost of a reserved spot is $40. VIP pass holders can reserve parking spaces based on availability. Reserved parking reservations may be made at http://bit.ly/stonewall2018.
The 2018 Wilton Manors Stonewall Festival will kick off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 16 when the marketplace opens featuring various vendors and exhibitors. Then at 5 p.m. the much-anticipated Stonewall Parade will travel down the north side of Wilton Drive. Following the parade, there will be a host of live performances until 11 p.m. The festival will take place along Wilton Drive extending from Five Points/NE 26thStreet to NE 21st Court.
“We are thrilled to have Chuck Panozzo, a Wilton Manors resident and activist for AIDS awareness, serve as this year’s grand marshal,” said Mayor Resnick. “Over the years this festival has grown into a destination event that brings people. from all different places and backgrounds, together to celebrate the milestone achievements of the LGBT community.”
This year’s Grand Marshal, Chuck Panozzo, is the bassist and cofounder of rock band Styx. Panozzo is an activist for AIDS awareness and gay rights and has lived in Wilton Manors for 10 years. He came out and announced he was living with HIV in 2001.
To complement the 19thAnnual Stonewall Parade & Festival, Our Night OUT will be held on Friday, June 15, 2018 at The Manor Complex (2345 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305). This event will pay tribute LGBTQ arts and culture through unexpected visual arts, music and theatrical performances. The evening will be capped off by an incredible performance reminiscent of a Cirque du Soleil style show that includes all of the organizations headlined by a special guest star and produced by world-renowned director Jonathan Hawkins. All proceeds will benefit the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, Stonewall Museum & Archives, and Island City Stage. This event sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Community Foundation of Broward. VIPticketsare$50 include7 p.m. event entry, complimentary cocktails, and horsd’oeuvres. General admission tickets are $10 with event entry at 8 p.m. For more information visit www.ournightout.org.
Groups or individuals can register as vendors for the street festival or sign up to participate in the parade. Spaces are limited and based on availability last minute registration can be completed at http://bit.ly/stonewall2018 or call (754) 257-2989.
Sponsorships to support the event are also available and start at $1,000 for the Diamond Partnership Package. For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to sign up as a sponsor, contact the VP for Development, WMEG at vpd@wmeg.orgor (754) 200-2979 ext. 603.
The Wilton Manors Entertainment Group, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partnership between the City of Wilton Manors and the Wilton Manors Development Alliance, Inc., to provide resources, guidance, and continuity for city-sponsored cultural, social, and educational events, with all funds dedicated to its mission; to benefit the community of Wilton Manors.
The festival is held in honor of the Stonewall Riots, a series of violent demonstrations staged by New York City’s gay community on June 27, 1969, after they had grown tired of harassment from the New York Police Department. Each year, the City of Wilton Manors joins communities across the country to hold events that commemorate these riots.