Pride Picnic in the Park…with Piggish Protestors!

Might as well get a head start on events for Sunday, June 19 because there are some big ones, and it’s the start of Pride Week so you need to be well-informed on what’s what and where to go for the maximum amount of enjoyment and pridefulness…Obviously the big event for everyone, and especially for families, is the official “Seattle Pride Picnic Presented by BECU” happening tomorrow, June 19, at Volunteer Park from 11am to 5pm. The entire community is invited to enjoy the picnic fixin’s including burgers, wieners (not Weiners), veggie burgers, fruit, salads and cupcakes catered by the fine folks at Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery (SPUD) and Cupcake Royale with overall corporate sponsorship from OUR favorite financial institution BECU and additional support from Esurance, Microsoft/Kinect, Amazon, FUZE, YMCA of Greater Seattle, SGN, MOViN 92.5, Popchips, Clowns Unlimited and The Red Balloon Company. It’s only ONE DOLLAR for the picnic so it’s a great bargain and proceeds from the event go to Food LifeLine.

Oh, and there’s more than just food to eat:

• Groovin music from MOVIN 92.5
• Box-car Derby
• Live Entertainment
• Face painting provided by the YMCA of Greater Seattle
• Clowns Unlimited will provide juggling, face painting and balloon twisters
• Annoying protest from Homophobic Hate Group, the Westboro Baptist Church/Fred Phelps Clan from Topeka Kansas…

Yes, sadly, the infamous douche bags from Kansas have waddled out to the Pacific Northwest to spread their own particular brand of publicity seeking hatred. Apparently, there weren’t any military funerals or productions of The Laramie Project to picket this weekend.

Happily, local activist Ben Crowther decided the bullies needed to be confronted and set up a Counter Protest to let them know you can’t intimidate the Emerald City. “Counter Protest Westboro at Seattle Pride Picnic” event has its own Facebook page and Mr. Crowther has a message for anyone who wishes to participate.

Hey Everyone,

Can you believe it? The counter protest is TOMORROW! Below are the final details for the event. Please take a minute to read them

-Our motto is: Stay clever and classy. We want to be having fun out there! No nasty signs, no hateful comments, no violence of any sort. Sass and wit are encouraged.

-We’ll have music and bubble machines, so take the opportunity to have a good time. I want to see you all dancing and smiling while Westboro is sulking in the corner.

-Westboro will be protesting at 15th and Galer (Map herehttp://tinyurl.com/3syfztw). We’ll be filling the space around them, but we need to leave a buffer zone. Please try to respect their space.

-The Pride Picnic will be going on at the same time. Please respect that there will be young children and families present

-Remember this is also a fundraiser. Please consider donating. Proceeds go to Queer Youth Space. What better way to make Westboro mad than to show that their presence helped our community. Donate herehttp://phelps-a-thon.com/seattle/

-The event starts at 10:30 and they’ll arrive at 10:50. I want a crowd there to give them a warm Seattle welcome as soon as they set up.

-Lastly, after the event, please consider joining the Pride Picnic or walk on over to Cal Anderson for SlutWalk Seattle which starts at Noon.

I can’t wait to see you all there! Happy Pride!

-Ben Crowther

If it makes you feel any better, the WBC/Phelps Clan hates EVERYONE! Well, if it gets them publicity.

We’ll be there and encourage you to do the same…but play nicely!