The Ferndale Pride Committee has announced the date for next year’s Ferndale Pride as May 31, 2014. Though the date falls just outside of the traditional June month of Pride, it keeps the event from conflicting with the Motor City Pride which will be held June 7-8, 2014 in Hart Plaza in Detroit.
The announcement came at the July 22 city council meeting, when event chair Craig Covey also shared the results of fundraising for the 2013 event.
“The sponsors donated 40 percent more funding to the event, and we had an increase of 15 percent in businesses and organizations renting booth space. We had two stages instead of one, and total funds raised grew by more than one third,” Covey said in a subsequent press release.
Ferndale Pride had a pre-party at Affirmations and the festival was held on Saturday. Other tie-in events included the Dyke March, after parties at many bars and restaurants, and the Rainbow Run. The Rainbow Run brought in 1,000 runners this year and the Ferndale Area Chamber, who organized the event, donated $6,600 to local charities.
“The weather held up after a week of rain, and most importantly, the community got to gather in its diversity and pride and have fun. Ferndale and the region loves its festivals, and the Ferndale festival organizers deserve all of the credit,” Covey said, giving special thanks to co-chairs Greg Pawlica, Julia Music, Monica Mills, Tony Phoenix, Derek Pratley, Eddie Mulak and Sharon Chess.
To keep up with the latest Ferndale Pride news, check out their website at http://www.ferndalepride.org.