7 Ways to Celebrate Pride Month in Traverse City

Plus other Pride events around the North

By Brighid Driscoll | June 1, 2024

As June arrives, the vibrant colors of Pride month brighten the community as we celebrate our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors. From festive parades to thought-provoking discussions, Pride events worldwide serve as beacons of solidarity, empowerment, and inclusion, and northern Michigan is no different. Northern Express has rounded up nine local events commemorating Pride month, where we can all celebrate love, diversity, and visibility. Check out what’s going on and join in the fun!

Traverse City

Kickoff to Pride – Saturday, June 1
2pm, Grand Traverse Civic Center
Let’s get this party started! Equality Michigan and Up North Pride are teaming up for the first-ever Pride Kickball Competition, combining fun and advocacy through this beloved recess throwback.

“We’re raising money for both Equality Michigan and Up North Pride,” says Up North Pride’s Vice President and Marketing Co-Chair Kendall Kotcher. “There will be prizes for things like the most money raised, best uniforms, and fun stuff like that.” Support your chosen team at upnorthpride.com.

Drag Brunch – Sunday, June 2
Show #1: 11am - 1pm; Show #2: 2pm - 4pm, Short’s Bellaire Pub
Sashay and slay at Short’s in Bellaire for a double drag brunch extravaganza! Hosted by MI Drag Brunch, the event invites you to indulge in delectable brunch delights while fabulous drag queens serve up fierce performances. Share in laughter, lip-syncs, and love for a memorable day benefiting AYA Youth, a drop-in center for homeless youth in Western Michigan. Grab tickets ($45+) at midragbrunch.com/events-1/shorts-brewing-co-11am-2.

Pride Night at the Ballpark – Thursday, June 6
First pitch: 7:05 pm, Turtle Creek Stadium
The Traverse City Pit Spitters always put on a good show with great play and entertainment to boot. “We’ll have exclusive merch; we’re working with the Pit Spitters on a Pride themed cap that is only available through the Pride ticket link,” says Kotcher. “The game’s on a Thursday, so there will be a 321 deal for $3 beers, $2 hot dogs, and $1 bag of chips. And we’ll have the Cherry Capital Men’s Chorus singing the National Anthem, and we’re super stoked for that. There will be Pride-themed games between innings, and we’re going to have a special guest throw the first pitch. There will also be rainbow refreshments, and there will be a craft activity for kids. It should be a lot of fun!”

Pride Carnival – June 8
11am - 2pm, NMC Clock Tower
Join in the family fun at Northwestern Michigan College’s Pride Carnival (pictured; photo by Trenton Lee) on June 8. Sample diverse foods, engage with local nonprofits, and enjoy carnival-style activities for the whole family. (And don’t miss the chance to explore the Dennos Museum, open to all during the event!) Admission is free, with select items available for purchase.

“The carnival is a repeat event for us and NMC,” Kotcher tells us. “It’s a good family-friendly event. We’re bringing back the slide this year, which is the iconic Pride Carnival attraction. There’s a storytelling event the morning of at the Dennos, which is a repeat event and family friendly as well.”

Drag Bingo – June 14
Show #1: 5pm - 7pm; Show #2: 7:30pm - 9:30pm, Iron Fish Distillery
Spice up your Friday night with Drag Bingo at Iron Fish Distillery when you join Up North Pride for two rounds of games hosted by The Northern Michigan Dragwives! Expect fabulous prizes, fierce performances, and a whole lot of fun at the lovely Iron Fish Distillery. Tickets ($25) are available now at upnorthpride.com.

Long Memory Project One Night Performance – June 15, 2024
6-8pm: The Alluvion
“I would say I’m most excited for The Long Memory Project,” says Kotcher of what she’s looking forward to this June. “This is a new event and we’re working with partners to gather stories of older generations and present them through different works of art.”

The project is a collaborative effort by Crosshatch, Up North Pride, MiGen, musician Blake Elliot, and artist Heather Spooner. Join them for a special presentation where artists bring to life the stories of LGBTQ+ community members through art, music, and poetry. The exhibit runs June 8 to July 14, with the reception, performance, and panel conversation at The Alluvion in Traverse City on June 15. Tickets for the reception are $20 at mynorthtickets.com.

Rainbow Run – June 22
8am - 12pm, Boardman Lake Loop (Hull Park)
Step into a world of color at the second annual Rainbow Run, presented by TART Trails and Up North Pride. Before and after the run, groove to music and savor refreshments at Hull Park. Register by May 31 to snag a branded white tee and join this technicolor celebration—prices increase June 1. Find more information at runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/TraverseCityRainbowRun.

Pride Around Northern Michigan

Manistee’s Pride in the Park ’24 – June 15
12pm - 2pm, First Street Beach
Pride In The ’Stee is hosting their fourth annual Pride in the Park. Awaken your creativity with craft tables, strike a pose at photo ops, and soak up the rainbow-tastic atmosphere! Join in for a day of pure joy and acceptance, where everyone is celebrated for being themselves. Learn more at their Facebook page.

Saint Ignace Pride Festival – June 22
11am-3pm, American Legion Park
Head to the Straits of Mackinac for food, conversation, and entertainment at the Saint Ignace Pride Festival. This event is hosted by Straits Pride and will offer a cookout atmosphere and relaxing group activities. Visit straitspride.org/events for more.