30 Years of Pride

Did you know Houston's Pride Parade is the only one in the country to take place at night? And that it's the largest in the Southwest? Houstonist didn't, but that's never stopped us from enjoying the parade from the patio of Catbirds, beverage in hand.

Pride Houston is celebrating it's 30th year serving H-town's GLBT community with festivities all day Saturday. This year's theme is "We Are Family," a fitting motif in the wake of recent events in California. The event is free and open to the public.

The celebration begins at 11 a.m. on the corner of Yoakum and Westheimer with shopping, live music, street food and a "Community Zone" where festival-goers can visit with some of Houston's most ardent GLBT supports, from non-profits to businesses. The event is family-themed and appropriate for all ages. There will even be a Kids' Zone.

The final round of Pride Idol, a competition to find undiscovered talent in Houston's GLBT community, will also take place Saturday afternoon.

The parade beings at 8:45 p.m. but if you want a good view plan to be there before. The festival regularly draws more than 150,000 attendees, from Texas and surrounding states.

The route begins at Dunlavy and will follow Westheimer eastward to Crocker, just past Montrose. There will be more more than 100 brightly-lit floats, with sponsors including Continental Airlines and PFLAG.

For more information about the parade, including a list of sponsors and viewing tips, visit Pride Houston's website .

Photo: flickr user Galaga Gal