The 2008 Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade was held on Sunday, June 29, beginning at 11am along Hennepin Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis. According to public estimates, the Parade again drew over 125,000 spectators in 2008, making it one of the largest parades in the Upper Midwest, and the largest in all of Minneapolis according to Mayor R.T. Rybak.
2008 Parade Award Winners
Unit Name
Award
General Mills/Betty's Family
Grand Marshal's Choice
Minneapolis Movie Bears
Rainbow Award
(best use of the rainbow)
The Saloon
Best Use of Theme
("Free Your Mind")
Gay 90's
Best Float
UNL Drill & Dance Performing Arts
Best Overall Unit
Parade Route
The route will begin at the corner of 3rd Street and Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis and will follow Hennepin Avenue to Loring Park. For a detailed map, be sure to check ou the Parade Route/Location page.
Parade Grandstand & Pre-Parade Show
The Pre-Parade show starts at 9am at the Grandstand on the corner of 9th & Hennepin. The show will feature entertainment as well as a brief ceremony to unveil the brand-new giant Leather Flag. The Pre-Parade Show is free to attend.
Seats in the covered Grandstand tickets are now on sale! Only 100 tickets are available so don't wait to get yours! Each ticket will include your seat in the covered seating area as well as a cocktail, breakfast snack and a gift bag. For complete details, be sure to check out the Grandstand page.
New Giant Leather Flag to Debut
New Rainbow Flag to debut next year.
Both the giant Rainbow and Leather flags have been in the parade for over 10 years and are showing their age. In a multi-year partnership, Twin Cities Pride and Minnesota Leather Pride will be replacing both flags. This year, the Giant Leather Flag will be replaced, next year the Rainbow Flag. The old Leather Flag will be officially decommissioned and the new flag unveiled during the Pre-Parade Show
Help Carry the Giant Rainbow Flag in the Parade
We are looking for about 45 people to help us carry the giant Rainbow Flag in the Parade. If you are interested, please contact Matt Shaw, Lead Parade Coordinator, via email or telephone at 612.305.6934
New Pride Documentary Video Released
Check out this new video that we have produced to provide a background on what Twin Cities Pride is.
Registration by-mail and online has ended. If you still need to register, please contact Matt Shaw at 612-305-6934 or via email.
Wish to pay by Check or mail us your registration?
Registration by-mail has now ended. Please contact Matt Shaw at 612-305-6934 or via email.
Online Registration Fees
Fee per Unit
Marching or Vehicular Rates
Non-Profit/Community Groups
$95
Political Units & Candidates
$300
For-Profit & Commercial Units
$400
Publicly-Elected Officials
No Fee
Float Rates
Non-Profit/Community Groups
$80
Political Units
$285
For-Profit & Commercial Units
$385
Application Fee
Based on the date of your Application
Through February 29, 2008
None
March 1 - April 4, 2008
$50
April 5 - May 23, 2008
$80
May 24 - June 20, 2008
$110
June 21 - June 28, 2008
$200
Register Online - Save $10
All units not regsitering online will be assessed a $10.00 administrative fee. You can avoid this fee, and save $10, by registering online (click button above to get started).
