Indy’s Pride Week has always been designed to bring people from all walks of life together in a safe and healthy family-friendly space, where open and honest dialogue can entrench existing allies even as it enlists new ones. This year’s Circle City IN Pride continues in its upward trajectory of growth, while simultaneously keeping an eye on tradition. With this, Indy Pride, Inc., is proud to announce the full week of events for the 2014 Circle City IN Pride presented by Absolut, June 7-14, complete with fan-favorites and exciting adventures new to CCINP.

Saturday, June 7: Rainbow 5K Run/Walk. 

Now in its third year, the Rainbow 5K Run/Walk once again kicks off Pride week for Indianapolis. All proceeds from the Rainbow 5K Run/Walk will support the Indy Pride Resource Center Fund and provide HIV education through the Indiana AIDS Fund, a program of the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis. In 2013, over 560 participants raised over $15,000. This represented a 57% increase in participation and 87% more funds, compared with 2012. Registration begins at 7am, and runners step off at 8:30am. The 5K run and 5K walk will both start and end at 22nd and Talbott Streets and follow a street course through Herron Morton neighborhoods. Because this is an urban course, registration will be capped at 1,000 participants. Registration is available online at Rainbow5K.com.

[NEW!] Saturday, June 7: Pride Bowl.

Indy Pride teams up with the Greater Indianapolis Fourth of July Classic (TGIF), an international LGBT bowling tournament that provides fellowship through amateur competition, to host the first ever Pride Bowl, Saturday, June 7th.  All skill levels from beginner to experienced are welcomed, whether you can bowl a turkey or bowl like a turkey. There will be food and other games on-hand, as well. Make Pride Bowl a part of your Pride Week tradition!  Pride Bowl will take place at All-Star Bowling, 726 N. Shortridge Rd, from 3:00p – 7:00p. The admission fee is $15 for adults and $10 for children, for up to 3 games of bowling. Shoe rentals are included. More info on the Greater Indianapolis Fourth of July Classic bowling tournament can be found at www.tgif-classic.org.

Sunday, June 8: Community Picnic & Bat n’ Rouge.

Indy Pride Bag Ladies returns for a sixth year to defend their home turf. This time, however, they are playing for keeps! Who will lose? Who will win? Who will pitch? Who will catch? One thing is certain: This popular charity event is fabulous train-wreck not to be missed.

Bat n’ Rouge starts at 2pm. But before the game, bring the entire family out to the Garfield Park Corporate Shelter (2524 Conservatory Road) for the Community Picnic at 12 p.m. Both events are free and all-ages.

Sunday, June 8: Pride Skate.

Pride Skate has been a community favorite since its inception several years ago. With a Wizard of Oz theme, this years event will continue to be held at Roller Cave Family Fun Center on the East side of Indianapolis, and continues to be one of the most highly anticipated events. This event is all ages event and happens 6-9pm. Keep an eye on www.circlecityINpride.org for complete details as they are announced.

Monday, June 9: Pet Pride.

Pets have long since been integral in defining ‘family’ for many, irrespective of identity. Pet Pride understands this and focuses on bringing together the community and their pets. Going on its 4th year, Pet Pride 2014 promises to be a barking good time!

The ever-popular pet fashion competitions return with great prizes, and this year’s categories include:

• Pet/Owner Look-A-Like
• A Face Only A Parent Could Love
• Most Couture Costume
• My Pet’s Got Talent

Enjoy amazing food from the many on-site vendors, or find a new friend for Fido in the puppy play pools. You may also fall in love thanks to adoption opportunities from local animal shelters on hand. The event takes place at Garfield Park, Shelters 3 & 4, 2524 Conservatory Road, in Indianapolis. The event is all ages, has free admission, and begins at 6pm.

Pre-registration is recommended at www.circlecityinpride.org/pet-pride.

Tuesday, June 10: Band Concert & Movie Night.

Formed in the spring of 2005, Pride of Indy Bands is comprised of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and LGBT-friendly musicians. With several ensembles, Pride of Indy Bands collectively serve as a musical and educational resource to the Central Indiana community and will hold their 9th Anniversary Concert as a featured event during Pride week. One of the Pride of Indy Bands ensemble will perform summertime favorites starting at 7:00pm at the Old Firehouse Lawn located at the intersection of Mass Ave and College Ave in downtown Indy, across from FortyFive Degrees. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the music in this fantastic downtown outdoor location and stay for the movie night, held immediately after. This year’s movie: The Wizard of Oz.

This all ages, free admission event will also feature food vendors on site. Donations are gladly accepted at the door to benefit Indy Pride, Inc. For more information about the Pride of Indy Bands: http://www.prideofindy.org/

[NEW!] Wednesday, June 11: Diversity Night with The Fever.

Another exciting first for Circle City IN Pride, Diversity Night with The Fever has Indy Pride, Inc. working with Indiana Equality Action to take part in The Fever’s Diversity Night on Wednesday, June 11, when the Fever hosts the Seattle Storm. As part of the group night, on June 11, Indy Pride will conduct a post game courtside chat with the Fever’s 2013 draft pick Layshia Clarendon and head coach Lin Dunn. Tipoff is 7:00 p.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 S Pennsylvania Street. By purchasing tickets at www.circlecityinpride.org/fever/ a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Indy Pride.

Thursday, June 12: Bag Ladies – Loud & Proud.

The Bag Ladies have long-since been a staple in the Indianapolis gay community and Circle City IN Pride week. They’re quite possibly the nation’s first HIV/AIDS fundraising organization and a favorite CCINP event by many. Since the initial bus tour in 1981, more and more men and women have become part of this on-going and ever-growing tradition. Last year saw 300 attendees entertained by 14 Bag Ladies.

The event will take place at Greg’s, formerly Our Place, at 231 E. 16th St., beginning at 9pm (doors at 8pm). The event is 21+ with valid ID and a suggested $5 donation will be accepted at the door.

More about The Bag Ladies’ History: www.indyprideinc.org/history-of-the-bag-ladies/

Thursday, June 12: Girl Pride.

2013’s Girl Pride sold out. 2014 is set to do the same, with performances from Grammy-nominated Mary Lambert, who co-wrote and sang on the equality anthem “Same Love” with Macklemore; and Luciana, Queen of Electro-/NuWave-House. Lambert’s musical style is often compared to Adele, Tori Amos, Bon Iver, and James Blake, with topics that run through her early childhood traumas: sexual abuse, body image, bipolar disorder, drug abuse, homosexuality and religion. Luciana’s unique stage presence blends fiery attitude with her feisty, in-your-face, punk-grrl vocals for an explosive performances that will leave you a breathless.

Girl Pride will be held at Talbott Street Nightclub, located at 2145 N Talbott Street. Indianapolis, IN 46202. The event is 21+ with valid ID, and tickets are available now at girlpride2014.bpt.me/.

[NEW!] Friday, June 13: Pride Concert with the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus.

Traditionally, no official Pride events are planned on the Friday before the Cadillac Barbie Pride Parade and Circle City IN Festival, but a performance by the nationally renown Indianapolis Men’s Chorus (IMC) is simply too good to pass up. Guided by the masterful hand of artistic director Greg Sanders, the IMC’s pitch-perfect mix of humor and strong vocal performances helped land the group with Indianapolis Weekly’s 2013 Best of Indy award for “Best Playful Choir.”  Pride Concert with the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus will be at Marian University Theatre (3200 Cold Spring Road), on Friday, June 13, starting at 8p. General Admission tickets are $25 at the door, $20 in advance. Seniors and students receive a $5 discount.

Saturday, June 14: Cadillac Barbie Pride Parade.

Indy’s first Pride Parade featured one float, an antique truck, some antique cars, and a few drag queens. It lasted approximately 15 minutes. Today, the parade lasts over two hours and is one of the largest parades in the city, having grown to include 24 floats, 130 units, 175 vehicles, 2,500 walkers, and over 35,000 spectators.

In 2011, the parade was re-christened after the Indy Pride Bag Lady alter-ego of Gary Brackett, the person who started it all. And in 2014, Indy Pride, Inc. is proud to continue with that tradition. The 2014 Cadillac Barbie IN Pride Parade is expected to be the biggest yet, with over 150 units mixed between walking groups, vehicles, and floats.

The parade will line up at 8:30 AM, Saturday, June 14th, 2014, at the corner of Mass Ave and College Ave, and will step off at 10:00 AM. The parade will De-marshal at St. Clair in front of the Indianapolis Public Library. This is a free, all ages event, followed immediately by the CCINP Festival, located at the end of the parade.

Saturday, June 14: Circle City IN Pride Festival.

It’s hard to imagine an Indianapolis in June without the Circle City IN Pride Festival. The festival is now Indiana’s largest LGBT celebration, stretching further than three city blocks, with 2 stages of entertainment and more than 300 vendors. Last year, it was attended by more than 80,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and heterosexual people, reflecting the diversity that the festival champions. This year’s entertainment will be provided by The Cliks, lead by transgendered frontman Lucas Silveira; pop-country star on the rise, Steve Grand; and many others to be announced, including bands, drag queens, and DJs local to Indiana.

The festival features a “Family Fun Zone” with activities for children of all ages, multiple food vendors, a health fair area, an interactive vendor area, and more.

The Circle City IN Pride Festival, presented by Absolut, will be held at the American Legion Mall, between St. Clair and Michigan, Meridian and Pennsylvania, on Saturday, June 14, 2014. The event is all ages. A suggested $5 donation can be made any of the festival entrances. Be on the look-out for more headliners and information to be announced on www.circlecityINpride.org and in future press releases.

Circle City IN Pride is Indy Pride’s Annual Week of Events, taking place every June as a fundraiser for the organization’s causes and in support of many other organizations in Central Indiana.