May is coming to a close and June is right around the corner which means it is time for the 2nd Annual Everett Pride Block Party.
Everett Pride Block Party will be held on Saturday, June 15 starting at 11 a.m. with after parties lasting all the way until 2 a.m. The opening ceremony will feature statements from Mayor Cassie Franklin and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers before 20 different performers take the stage throughout the day.
This year’s Block Party promises to be even bigger than the last; in 2023, there were 42 vendors and 12 food trucks. This year there will be 86 vendors and 18 food trucks. Over 3,000 people attended last year, and Everett Pride is estimating crowds of 6-8,000 for 2024.
Attendees can enter a raffle to win two roundtrip, main cabin tickets from Alaska Airlines. You can also attend the “Gayest Car Show” and enjoy the Beer Garden next to the main stage. To learn more about each event, see here: Events — Everett Pride
Event Schedule
- All Ages Block Party on Wetmore Ave- 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
- All Ages After Party at the Bayside Café- 6-8 p.m.
- 21+ After Party at Zamarama Gallery- 6-8 p.m.
- 21+ Glow With Pride Dance Party at APEX King’s Hall- 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
For those interested in volunteering, the Everett Pride website is still accepting applications.
Founders Ashley Turner and Kevin Daniels saw the lack of an organized Pride event in Everett and decided to change that. To them “Everett Pride” is so much more than a once-a-year event. “Everett Pride” is actually the name of the nonprofit organization organizing and hosting the Block Party. The nonprofit is looking to build a fun, safe, connected community through uplifting other businesses and organizations through Snohomish County.
“Our focus is to be more impactful,” Communications Director and Secretary for Everett Pride Bryce Laake said. “We’re working on a coalition among all the Pride organizations to create a foundation to provide money to other organizations and public parties that work in advocacy for our rights.”
As with any massive undertaking, funding is a roadblock.
“Prices for goods and services we need have increased,” said Laake. “[The Block Party] is completely put on by volunteers. Any additional marketing is an out-of-pocket expense.”
In addition to a silent auction held earlier this year, Everett Pride is hoping to raise funds selling merchandise for the Block Party, such as enamel pins, t-shirts, bags and more. With the accrued funds, Everett Pride hopes to bring the Block Party back for a third year in 2025 and to hold many more events, including a Winter Grom (Gay Prom).
For more information on joining the party, visit everettpride.org.
