It may not be called Pink Saturday, but a smaller, earlier street party will take place in the Castro on the day before Gay Pride Sunday.

In a telephone interview with Hoodline, Supervisor Scott Wiener confirmed that the city was “very close” to announcing the name of a community organization that will coordinate the event, replacing the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who voted to end their participation.

Wiener said that in meeting with the Mayor’s Office, city officials were very supportive about providing funding to be sure the event is safe.

Wiener said that because tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on the Castro following the Dyke March and daytime Gay Pride events at Civic Center, “having nothing is just not a possibility.” 

To keep out the rowdier crowds, Wiener predicted that the event would end—and the streets would reopen—about the time it would get dark, at 8 or 8:30pm. Ending earlier would keep the event smaller, he said.

Specifics of the event—including the important question of how many music stages would be allowed—will have to await the announcement of the agency that will coordinate the event, but Wiener was optimistic that the city would provide adequate funding for a safe and secure event.