- Credibility:
BOYSTOWN — Pride Fest is back on and going virtual this year, and it will stream online next month, organizers announced Thursday.
The digital Pride celebration will stream 7-9 p.m. June 20–21 on Twitch, according to a press release from the Northalsted Business Alliance. The virtual edition of Boystown’s annual LGBTQ festival will occur on the same dates planned for the in-person festival before it was postponed in April.
The event will feature performances and entertainment from local drag queens, artists, activists and other LGBTQ people. The full lineup comes out in June.
The stream also will collect donations for the Center on Halsted, Howard Brown Health and other community programming.
“Right now our focus is all about planning a Pride celebration for the digital ages,” Northalsted President Ramesh Ariyanayakam said in a statement. “We know this virtual festival will bring much needed connection and hope to our community and beyond and are thrilled to produce this event.”
The annual Pride Fest was originally postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was set to be combined with the neighborhood’s annual Market Days street festival in the fall.
The city’s annual Pride Parade was also postponed to the fall, but details on a digital alternative on the June 28 parade day will come soon.
Jake Wittich is a Report for America corps member covering Lakeview, Boystown and Lincoln Park for Block Club Chicago.
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