Events

CU Pride Festival

Name: CU Pride Festival
Start: 2017-09-15
End: 2017-09-17
Location: Downtown Champaign

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The largest PRIDE celebration South of I-80 in the State of Illinois!

It's back again for it's 8th consecutive year and even better than ever. Come out and show your PRIDE!

The UP Center of Champaign County will present The 8th Annual CU Pride and Parade September 15ththrough September 17th in Downtown Champaign. The festivities start on Friday with a special CU Comedy Fundraiser at Soma Ultralounge with headliners including Chicago based comedian and actor Shannon Noll and Whitney Chitwood whose been featured by MoveOn.Org and OUT Chicago. Other events will be added and announced within the next two weeks.

The UP Center kicks off Saturday festivities with our free Family Friendly Area sponsored by Chambanamoms.com and Pride Vendors at noon. This Family Friendly Area will open at 12PM and run until 6PM. Attendees will be able to peruse vendor booths and families will love all the offerings including free bounce houses, carnival style games and The Scovill Zoo Mobile Petting Zoo. New this year live performances in the Family Friendly Zone from Belly Dancing Troupes, Drag Queens, Puppeteers, Theatre Companies and Live Musicians!

The 2017 Pride Parade will step off at 4PM in Downtown Champaign. This year’s Pride Parade Grand Marshall is Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism Cory Jobe. Prior to his appointment by Governor Bruce Rauner in January 2015, Mr. Jobe served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Illinois Comptroller from 2011 to 2015. Currently based in Chicago, he recently served on the Springfield City Council as the elected Alderman for Springfield’s 6th Ward

At 6PM, adults will enjoy tons of planned entertainment at area bars and restaurants. Pride HQ for the evening will be announced soon along with the performances line up for the season. Also back this year, Drag Brunch with Dish Passionate Cuisine at City View located above the Illinois Terminal on Sunday September 17th at 11AM. Those who attend Drag Brunch will enjoy a full breakfast and bottomless mimosas along with a great show from local and national drag queens, some of which have been featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Tickets for Drag Brunch are $30.00 per person and are on sale NOW!