Source: Austin Business Journal, Dallas Voice
For the first time, Austin's gay pride parade and pride festival later this year will be staged on the same day as part of a burgeoning local effort to tap into the lucrative gay visitor and event market.

The two events will be staged on June 14, with the festival held at Auditorium Shores and the parade departing from that location. Organizers believe the combined celebrations -- which used to be held on separate weekends in June -- could draw a combined 50,000 participants and spectators, with many coming from outside the city.

People from across Texas are expected to attend Pride Texas 2008 festival, organizers said. The festival is being presented by Equality Texas on June 14 from noon to 7 p.m. at Auditorium Shores.

Following the festival, the Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Pride Parade kicks off from Auditorium Shores and will end at the festival grounds.

“It will be a full day of gay Pride,” DeLeon said.

Those who have attended the festival in previous years will find themselves in a new location this time out. This year, Pride Texas moves from Waterloo Park to Auditorium Shores, a historic outdoor venue, said Equality Texas Development Director Marianne DeLeon.

“We’ve tried to move to Auditorium Shores for many years,” DeLeon said.

But the beloved venue only schedules 24 events a year.

This year though, after lobbying the Austin City Council, Austin Police Department and the neighborhood association, Pride Texas is one of the 2008 events.

DeLeon said it’s a very inviting venue where event goers can see the Austin skyline and Town Lake. It’s also centrally located.

DeLeon said the family-friendly community festival includes a phenomenal lineup of musicians, food and non-stop fun.

“We want to make sure there’s something for everyone,” DeLeon said.

There will also be an estimated 150 vendors on hand made up of LGBT-supportive businesses, artists, restaurateurs and community service organizations.

Pride's economic impact is hard to ascertain since the parade has usually coincided with the annual Republic of Texas Biker Rally that also draws thousands to Austin. But officials with the Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, which stages the parade, and political advocacy group Equality Texas, which puts on the festival, believe the combination of the events will translate to big bucks for area businesses.

Full article: Economic impact may grow by combining gay, lesbian events | Austin Business Journal
Gearing up for Pride Texas | Dallas Voice