If you haven't heard of Pride Weekend (like the people that gave us blank stares when my friend Tommy wished them "Happy Pride!"), maybe you don't pay attention to local news, because it's all over town. It's an entire weekend of revelry that celebrates the gay community. And it's so much fun. People come out of the woodwork that you never get to see, at the clubs at night, and during the day for the Pride Parade, festival, and Pride Picnic.

After martinis, calamari, and a pizza at One, my friends and I kicked off Pride Weekend at Friday night's opening party at the Strathallan. Beer, wine, DJs, and a hotel lobby full of party-goers were there. But we called it an early night (sort of), to save some energy for Saturday's parade. We ransacked my brother's Park Avenue apartment for pre-parade drinks, then sat on his porch as people walked by to get prime parade-watching spots on the pavement. We saw friends, co-workers, even friends' exes walk by us, and were so comfortable that I voiced the possibility of re-routing the parade so we wouldn't have to move. That being unrealistic, we walked down to Goodman to meet up with another group of friends. Sirens and fire trucks announced the start of the parade, and Tommy (who claims to hate parades) yelled out in support of everyone that walked by, even, to my amusement, politicians he didn't know. They ate it up. Another friend happily accepted every bit of literature the marchers handed out (business cards for local theater companies, flyers, an announcement of an upcoming civil rights meeting, more). A rainbow-dyed dog was seated with a group of people next to us, and many people wore some sort of pride-themed clothing.

Though it's only my second Pride Parade (last year City marched in the thing, which was way more fun), the parade itself felt lackluster this year. There were maybe two floats - Equal Grounds and Tilt - and those held dancing people and music, which were fun, but nothing new. Someone rode by on a rickshaw, and another favorite were the half-wedding dress, half-tuxedo couple that walked down the street in support of gay marriage. The spectators (not counting the minority that attended in opposition) might've been the best, biggest part of this year's parade. They voiced loud support for all the marchers, and were adamant about the importance of equality for everyone. Standing amongst their shouts and cheers, I couldn't wipe the smile from my face.