WASHINGTON — Restaurants and bars in DuPont are stocking up Friday for one of the biggest celebrations of the summer: the Capital Pride Parade.
“It’s a giant block party, multiple DJs, beer trucks, cocktails, food, drag shows," said Daniel Kramer, a Managing Partner at Duke's Grocery. "Just all sorts of partying, celebrating inclusion.”
Along a stretch of 17th Street Northwest in Dupont Circle, streets will be closed to traffic.
"Tomorrow is huge. Last year we had about 20,000 people stop through," said Eli Downs, the general manager at JR's Bar. “17th Street, we’re the heart of pride.”
It's a historic corridor that once hosted the parade. This year, though, the route moves even farther away from 17th Street Northwest and out of DuPont Circle altogether in preparation for an even bigger celebration in 2025.
“We understand that the city’s getting ready for World Pride and World Pride is going to be a whole other animal," said Georgia Katinas, the general manager at Annie's Paramount Steakhouse. "It’s going to be huge, and I also think the optics of the parade down on the mall is important.”
The parade will start at 3 p.m. stepping off at 14 Street and T Street Norhtwest and finish at Pennsylvania Avenue and 9th Street Northwest.
“It is a change to prepare for next year as we will have a larger parade bringing in the international community to DC. We’re excited that the route goes all the way down 14th," said Ryan Boss, the executive director of Capital Pride Alliance. "We are a city with rich culture and tapestry of neighborhoods and entertainment and culture that we’re excited to showcase that when folks get here in 2025.”
The parade leaving Dupont Circle is big change, but bar and restaurant owners here aren’t discouraged.
“We embrace it," Kramer said. "There’s no disappointment, there’s only excitement.”
And an effort to rally together to keep the heart of Pride here.
“There is something really special about this street," Katinas said. "You walk up and down it and it’s like Cheers or Sesame Street. People know your name and it’s this really wonderful community.”
The block party in Dupont Circle will run from noon to 10 p.m. Streets will be closed from P Street Northwest to S Street Northwest.
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.