I’ve marched in Rochester’s Pride Parade for several years, but I can’t remember the weather and temperatures being more ideal than they were yesterday.
I march with the Free Hugs Rochester group, our mission being to offer free “Mom hugs” (or Dad hugs or sister hugs…) to kids who aren’t accepted at home. It’s always a day filled with laughter, smiles and often a few tears shed by grateful hug recipients.
My daughter and several friends joined me in the parade, and many other friends joined us in spirit. The one-mile long route was moved from East Ave. to South Ave. this year, and the Pride Festival moved from Cobbs Hill Park to Highland Park, to accommodate the huge crowds and the ever-increasing number of businesses and community groups who participate. Thousands of people lined Science Parkway, where we lined up, and South Ave. — kids, teens, 20-somethings, parents, grandparents. Everyone was waving flags, holding supportive signs, grinning and waving. And hundreds of them of them gladly opened their arms to accept hugs.
Thanks to the new location, parade organizers were also able to accommodate more than 200 marching groups this year, making it the best Pride Parade in my memory.
I came home covered in sweat and glitter, and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I’m already looking forward to next year. Thank you to all my friends who joined me this year, to everyone in the Free Hugs group, and to the parade organizers for pulling together such a terrific event.
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(posted 7/21/2024)
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