Milwaukee Pride Parade returns after 2-year absence

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Thousands lined second street in Milwaukee Sunday afternoon for the Milwaukee Pride Parade.

It was the first Pride Parade in the city since 2019 with the last two cancelled due to the state of the pandemic.

The parade kicked off at 2:00 p.m. at 2nd St. and Greenfield Ave. in Walker's Point and ended at at Oregon St. This was the 15th Pride parade to take place on 2nd St.

Organizers say this year’s Pride Parade was the largest in Milwaukee’s history with well over 130 units participating in the parade, and thousands of attendees. 

“I love it. I didn’t think it was going to be this big, I didn’t think it would be this many people, but it’s definitely the place to be,” said attendee Heidi Bontempo, who was experiencing her first ever Pride Parade.

“Everybody can come in out and be themselves with no shame," said attendee Jonathan Serundogi.

“Everybody needs to be included, and I think it’s really important that everyone needs to be loved, said parade-goer, Taylar Hamilton, who was visiting Milwaukee from Watertown, WI for the event.

Following the parade, several LGBTQ-friendly businesses on 2nd St. stayed open and busy with a block party.