For the third year in a row; Pride Big Rapids will be holding their annual festival, but with some changes. For the first two years, the event was put on at Northend Riverside Park. This year, PBR has preliminary approval to move the festivities downtown, to Michigan Avenue.

As part of this move, a portion of Michigan Avenue will be shut down, from Pine Street to Elm Street. Maple Street (M-20) will remain open and operational for the duration of the festival, its setup and cleanup. That is slated to be from 6 a.m. to midnight on June 30th, 2024. The festival itself will run from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on that date.

PBR estimates at least 3,000 people will attend the festival. This is on-par with attendance in 2023, and just as with previous years, we expect attendees to come and go as they please throughout the day. Parking will be handled differently compared to our first two years. There will no longer be a single lot from which buses ferry attendees. Attendees will instead utilize spots available on streets and nearby public lots. The area is also more walkable and accessible to disabled persons, likely decreasing the number of cars.

Security for the festival has been increased and will include four officers from Proof Technologies Corp. and members of the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office Posse. Trained volunteers from PBR will also be a part of this team, lead by our board-appointed security director.

Once again, PBR will offer an alcohol tent featuring beer, wine, and seltzers. Trained bar tenders provided by local partner bars will sell the drinks inside a tent to be placed nearby the stage, in front of Star Shooters. No attendees under the age of 21 will be permitted to enter the
cordoned-off alcohol area or purchase alcohol. All alcohol must remain within the area, as well.

As for what will be included in the festival; expect dozens of vendors, several food trucks, activities for the whole family, live music, and drag shows. A full lineup will be announced at a later date.

*Location change and final details are subject to final approval by the City of Big Rapids.