SEATTLE — The Seattle Pride Parade was held in person for the first time in three years after taking a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The theme of this year's parade was "family reunion." There were more than 20,000 people signed up to march in this year's parade, according to Seattle Pride Executive Director Krystal Marx. Organizers estimated 400,000 people showed up to celebrate.
The parade kicked off at 11 a.m. on Sunday at 4th Avenue and Pike Street in downtown Seattle and ended at 2nd Avenue and Denny Way.
In addition to the parade's grand marshals - Seattle attorney Nikkita Oliver and local entertainer Gaysha Starr - front line workers were also recognized this year as honorary grand marshals of the parade.
In an interview with KING 5, Marx said this year's parade also featured fewer corporate floats up front, with more community groups mixed throughout the whole parade.
The fight for abortion rights was prominently featured at this year's parade.
"People are more fired up than ever about protecting our rights and each other," Marx said. "It's not just a celebration, it's also a fight."
The group Rise up for Abortion rights spoke an walked toward the front of the parade.
"We're calling on people to rise up for abortion rights and sustain non-violent protest," said Margo Heights with Rise up for Abortion rights.
Over 300 uniformed Seattle Police Department officers were anticipated to work the parade route, in addition to 80 private security officers hired by Seattle Pride.
Parade Route
The Seattle Pride Parade took over several blocks of 4th Avenue for hours on Sunday.
Parade participants were be staged along 4th Avenue from South Washington Street to South Pike Street, where the route officially began. The route extended along 4th Avenue from Pike Street to Denny Way, where the parade turned and reach the dis-assembly area at 2nd Avenue.
Parking was prohibited across the parade route.
Traffic
The Seattle Pride Parade coincided with work being done on the Revive I-5 project. Drivers were asked to expect long delays getting into the city.
Crews with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) planned lane reductions along southbound I-5 between I-90 and Spokane Street in Seattle. During the lane reductions, crews worked to replace 35 expansion joints that are “road-worn and ready to retire.” The work wrapped up early Sunday and lanes were reopened at around 2:15 p.m.