March proud

California may be known as the Golden State, but some residents haven’t been following the most golden of rules lately—ahem, Proposition 8 supporters or the California Supreme Court.

So what’s a golden-rule abiding Californian to do? Celebrate Sacramento’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community during the Sacramento Pride Festival 2009, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 20. The festival’s theme this year is “Changing the World With Pride,” and darn it, that’s exactly what GLBT residents and their supporters are going to do—with the help of awesome festival activities, of course.

The 22nd annual celebration will commence with a rally to support equality through diversity, featuring speakers and a march from the state Capitol west steps. All marchers will meet up with the parade, which will continue from 10th Street to N Street, then along Seventh Street to Southside Park.

More than 150 vendors, music stages and game booths will adorn the park. There also will be a volleyball tournament, classic-car show, curated art show, kid zone, carnival and beer garden. Yeah, that’s a lot, but it’s not all. Coffee, baked goods and poetry will be provided by Butch N Nellie’s Coffee Co. Entertainment will feature belly dancers; cheer groups from Sacramento and San Francisco; and deejay, electronic, funk and classic-rock music.

If that’s not enough for you, other Pride events will continue through Monday, June 22, at various locations. Visit www.sacramentopride.org for more information and the official Pride Guide.