Seattle's 38th annual Pride Parade is coming up this Sunday. The parade usually draws big crowds, but with a referendum on same-sex marriage on the November ballot, parade organizers are expecting a record turnout.
"I think we’re going to see an increase this year, especially with the marriage referendum out there," says Adam Rosencrantz, the board president of Seattle Out and Proud, the group hosting the parade. "People are going to come out and support us and show their excitement."
Referendum 74 would uphold the same-sex marriage law that state legislators passed earlier this year. If voters reject the referendum, same-sex marriage would be banned.
"The referendum is obviously the hot-button right now, and it really does need to be the focus of the community," says Rosencrantz.
Governor Christine Gregoire, who signed the bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington in February, will serve as a grand marshal at the parade. You can expect plenty of colorful costumes, floats, and flags this year, and notable drag queens will also provide entertainment on three stages along the way.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. in downtown Seattle at 4th Avenue and Union and ends at 4th and Denny Way. It's expected to last around two and a half hours.
Here's a map of the parade route provided by Seattle Out and Proud:
