Metro East Pride March kicks of the 2012 Festival

BellevillePride~ MetroEast News 
June 15, 2012
(BELLEVILLE)

Band Together's Grand Entrance at Metro East Pride 2010

A group of about 30 people converged upon the Belleville Library Friday to mark the beginning of the 5th Annual Metro East Pride Festival. Metro East Pride leadership and PFLAG-Belleville along with people of all ages marched from the historic Carnagie Library to East Main Street before moving westward towards the festival grounds located in the 200 block of West Main.   Club Escapade served as the ending point where the festival is centered each year.

The 2012 Festival will include notable entertainment performances throughout the day along with more than 50 vendors who will line the festival grounds from Noon to 10PM Saturday.  The "Main Street" Festival offers the St. Louis region a unique pride experience as an "Out and Open" festival rather than park setting.  It has been known to be a venue that fosters a spirit of unity as organizations from accross the region converge to celebrate equality efforts in Southwestern Illinios.  

The Festival begins at Noon tomorrow (June 16th) and will conclude at 10pm.  There is no charge for admission and ALL PEOPLE are welcome.
It is important to note that the City of Belleville ordinances do not allow pets on the festival grounds.  The ordinance has been in place for several years and is not specific to the Pride Festival, but pertains to all the many festivals and street-fairs held in Belleville each year.  For additional details and information on the festival schedule visit www.metroeastprideswi.com