Utah Pride announces Pride 2.0 in October — Dragging Main

While the Utah Pride Festival wasn’t able to happen this year because of the Coronavirus pandemic, festival leaders announced the “first annual Utah Pride Road Rally” will take its place on October 11, National Coming Out Day.

“Come celebrate with us on [National] Coming Out Day for the first annual Pride Road Rally where everyone is invited to come out to drag Main,” Utah Pride Center Executive Director Rob Moolman wrote in a statement.

Due to the pandemic, the Utah Pride Center found itself needing to get creative this year to keep the center’s programs and services available. With social distancing and state guidelines, the standard festival couldn’t happen. Salt Lake City leaders and the Utah Department of Health signed off on this new concept.

“Rather than decorated floats and tens of thousands of people packed onto seven blocks of downtown, everyone in our community is invited to decorate their own cars and join the Road Rally on a long stretch of Main Street,” Moolman explained. “If you cannot join in your vehicle, you can watch the live stream on our website. This will allow people to join in on the fun safely.”

“Dragging Main is an activity that has been passed down through the generations where people get in their cars, drive down a city’s Main Street and meet people,” Moolman said. “We want to bring that back and give you a chance to show your pride while doing it.”

“From youth to the elderly, there are LGBTQ+ people at risk and need our support. Help us help them,” said Mona Stevens, Utah Pride Center board chair.

Full details are still to be announced, but festival leaders wanted to make sure people save the Sunday, October 11 date for the event.