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The public was divided on the
move of Pridefest to February.
Many preferred the cooler
weather and larger crowds and
supported the idea of moving
all Pride festivities to February.
Staunch loyalist of the idea of
Pride as a commemoration of
Stonewall opposed the move
and wanted the festival moved
back to June. After a heated
town meeting in 2000, Pride
South Florida decided to move
the Parade and associated
Pride festivities to February.
That same year, a new
organization decided to plan
and organize a traditional street
festival in the month of June to
commemorate the Stonewall
Riots. Pride of Greater Ft.
Lauderdale was created, and
in June 2000 the inaugural
Stonewall Street Festival and
Parade took place in Wilton
Manors. The Stonewall Street
Festival, with a parade and
booths along Wilton Drive, and
no admission charge, was a
smaller neighborhood festival
reminiscent of early Pride
celebrations. It has continued
each year since.
Each year South Florida
celebrates Gay & Lesbian
Pride twice. In the winter,
Pridefest attracts thousands
of visitors from around the
country and hundreds of
exhibitors. On the traditional
last weekend of June, The
Stonewall Street Festival and
Parade celebrates the spirit
of the Stonewall Riots. The
celebrations have grown
to also include Black Pride
Parties in both Miami and
Ft. Lauderdale.
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