Pop-Up Pride Motorcade Happening in Rockford This Weekend

This week, Rockford's Mayor, Tom McNamara, officially proclaimed the month of June Pride Month for the third consecutive year.

Family-friendly Pride festivities will be happening in downtown Rockford this weekend, including some encouraging and thoughtful words from the city's mayor, WREX meteorologist Justin Ballard, and a few others.

The Office Niteclub, in downtown Rockford, will be hosting a day and night of fun and welcomes the entire community, LGBTQ+, and their allies. The event will include food trucks, vendors, giveaways, and more.

Among the activities planned include a drag queen bingo, car parade, raffle, live music, DJs, a pop-up drag show and more! Local drag celebrities and representatives from area LGBTQ and allied organizations, including key officials from the City of Rockford are expected to attend and speak. This event is FREE and open to the public of all ages!

You can learn more about this event here.

Also happening is a Pride Motorcade. Don't be confused, this is not a parade, there will be no street closures. This means participating street-legal vehicles will follow each other with the flow of traffic. Vehicles are encouraged to line up Rockford University's Puri Business School to decorate and photo-ops at 1 pm. The motorcade will leave at 2 pm.

Motorcade Route

From Rockford University head north on US 20 W, turn left on Main Street, Head east on Chestnut Street, turn left into IL 251/N.3rd St., end at the parking lot of the Rockford area arts Council or the old Frank Kral Volvo parking lot.

Find more about the motorcade here.

Pride celebration and the related isn't for everyone but that doesn't mean harassment, hate speech, inappropriate gestures, or violence is acceptable or tolerated. If these events aren't for you avoid the areas or ignore the surroundings. Simply put, be nice.