Burlesque performer Mx. Pucks A'Plenty led the procession as one of the 2023 Grand Marshals, gliding past Fourth and Pike atop a luxury vehicle. (The others were author Ijeoma Oluo and the Lavender Rights Project, a Black LGBTQ+ advocacy group.)

The parade lasted several hours and featured over 250 groups, companies, and organizations, including Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Starbucks, and Boeing, the last providing a very sassy flight attendant dance. Dozens of LGBTQ+ community activist groups and organizations also marched.

Just after Mx. Pucks 'A Plenty came the Starbucks Workers Union, showing off signs that read "Be Gay and Organize" and "Trans Rights Are Workers Rights." PFLAG Seattle, the largest family and ally organization in the country, showed up in force as always, along with ACLU Washington and Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center.

Standing up for a cause
Many noted that Pride felt more political this year. Librarians and teachers were among those who marched, not only to show love and support for the Queer and Trans community but to stand in solidarity with those in their fields fighting book bans and academic restrictions across the nation.

"Every child deserves love," Seattle Pride Parade announcer Caesar Hart said as the city's public teachers union passed by, followed by a big yellow bus bouncing with energy (and plenty of candy) for the younger attendees. "Protect Trans Kids" was written across the side of the bus in purple, white, and yellow to represent the Nonbinary flag.

Entertaining contingents
Performers brought added energy to the day's main event. Flag twirlers, baton throwers, and skilled step-dancers thrilled crowd as they stopped to show off their moves. Brass bands representing local schools and professional sports teams played euphoric pop songs turned Pride anthems. Despite glitter on their faces and streamers hanging off their instruments, the musicians played on with perfect pitch.

The most clever float at the parade may have been the homage to "the U-Haul Lesbian" by Portland's Doc Marie's, one of only 23 remaining Lesbian bars in the United States. Complete with "Let's Go Lesbians" flags, mohawks, and Doc Martens, the float was the physical embodiment of the average PNW Lesbian.

Seattle's sports teams support the LGBTQ+ community
Many of Seattle's professional sports teams also made appearances, along with their mascots. Buoy, the Seattle Kraken Sea-Troll, rode atop a pickup truck behind a rainbow Zamboni, much to the delight of fans on either side of the street.

Mariner Moose followed Buoy up with a little jig and a rainbow lei to represent the best baseball team in the Pacific Northwest. An entourage of musicians, volunteers, and sports fanatics followed suit, throwing merch into the crowd.

The Seattle Storm mascot Doppler rode in on top of a green and yellow Storm-themed Subaru. A group of pint-sized hip-hop dancers followed him with incredible finesse.

The Sea-Gals also showed up to represent the Seattle Seahawks. A joint float for the Seattle Sounders and O.L. Reign brought up the rear of the contingent. "Trans people belong in sports," read hand-painted signs carried by soccer fans as they kicked around a giant ball.

Fostering a community for 49 years
Over 300,000 people attended the Seattle Pride Parade, according to an estimate by organizers. Aside from the beautiful floats, dancers, and marchers flowing down the street, the event offered plenty of food options from food and beverage trucks and carts in Westlake Center.

One attendee, Briana, described the march as awesome. "It's really fun to be here. I have been enjoying the parade," she said. "It's so cool to see everyone dressed up."

Riley, another attendee, also noted the importance of celebrating Pride this year, especially amid so much anti-LGBTQ+ turmoil. "I'm proud to support the community," they said. "I'm glad everyone can come out, and I'm really glad we foster a community to support this."

The day's festivities were a joy for all who attended, with the energy increasing throughout the day. Whether eventgoers were there to celebrate their first Pride or their 49th, it was a fun and meaningful time for all.