Philly's gearing up for a rainbow explosion with the "BE YOU" Pride March and Festival set for June 2, and city officials have laid out the day's plan for traffic. Starting at 6th and Walnut Streets at 11 a.m., the march will work its way through the city streets, ending at 11th and Locust Streets, according to the City of Philadelphia's announcement.
While floats and vehicles have gotten the boot this year, anyone can join the march that leads straight into the street festival at noon. Here's the kicker: with road closures starting as early as 5 a.m and lasting until about 9 p.m., locals better plan ahead for a bit of a traffic tangle. Juniper Street, Cypress Street, and a laundry list of others are going no-car for the day.
Following the march, the "BE YOU" Pride Festival takes over with various LGBTQ+ cultural celebrations. The festival promises it all—from family-friendly resources to Kiki Alley's nod to the local ballroom scene. The party's slated to go on until 7 p.m., giving Philly plenty of time to strut their pride.
If you're driving, be prepared to hunt for parking – or better yet, skip the fuss and hop on a bus, though expect detours there as well since SEPTA's rejigging routes around the event from early morning till evening. With police keeping their eyes peeled and medical services on standby, the city's got safety covered. Just keep your bags close, as the city reminds via their public safety info – don't want anyone calling the bomb squad over a dropped fanny pack.
Once the last glitter has settled, the Streets Department's Sanitation Division plans to sweep through, making Philly sparkle again. Give them a shout at 3-1-1 or 215-686-8686 if they miss a spot. For the skinny on all things "BE YOU," check out the event's website.
