by Susan Fried
On a classic Seattle first day of June — overcast and only slightly warmer than November — Pride Month started out brilliantly in White Center, with hundreds of people enjoying the Fifth Annual White Center Pride Street Festival. Local businesses and vendors adorned their storefronts and booths with rainbow colors, and huge rainbow arches dotted the street along 16th Avenue Southwest between Southwest Roxbury Street and Southwest 100th Street.
The all-ages festival featured a pet pride parade, multiple beverage gardens, several stages featuring live music and performances, delicious food, live wrestling matches facilitated by Lariat Bar, and a children's area with a super slide.
The block party started at 11 a.m. and continued until 11 p.m. If you missed this year's festivities, there's always next year! Judging by the 2024 Street Festival, 2025's event promises to be even bigger and better. Follow White Center Pride on Instagram for more info on events throughout the year.
Susan Fried is a 40-year veteran photographer. Her early career included weddings, portraits, and commercial work — plus, she's been The Skanner News' Seattle photographer for 25 years. Her images have appeared in the University of Washington's The Daily, The Seattle Globalist, Crosscut, and many more.She's been an Emerald contributor since 2015. Follow her on Instagram @fried.susan.
📸 Featured Image: The Aqua-Nets perform at the Asphalt Amphitheater during the Fifth Annual White Center Pride Street Festival on June 1, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)
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