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Arts & Entertainment

Ferndale Pride 2011: Three days of Parades, Rallies, Parties

Ferndale Pride's plans take shape.

For three days, Ferndale will have marches and rallies, and businesses will host nonprofits with a series of activities and celebrations throughout downtown. Events planned for the weekend of June 3-5 will overlay with .

June 3

The day will kick off with the We Are Family Parade, followed by a rally at featuring performances by the One Voice Chorus. The gathering begins at 6 p.m. in the alley behind . The march will begin at 7 p.m. and will head to , where a rally will take place.

"We expect marching bands and lots of different people," Oakland County Commissioner Craig Covey said. "Everyone is welcome."

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The Motor City Bears charity dinner will take place from 5-8:30 p.m. at , 143 Albany St. ($12 for bears, $6 for cubs). A bear is a "furry huggable, gay man," according to the Motor City Bears website. Proceeds from the charity dinner will go toward Affirmations and the Ruth Ellis Center.

The dinner will be followed by the Night March: Illuminating our Diversity event through downtown businesses.

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Ferndale Pride co-chair Julia Music said this march was the most complicated among the weekend's events to plan. The night march will begin at 9 p.m. at City Hall. "This will be the first annual night march, and we think it will be an annual event," Covey said. "It's pretty unique, pretty neat."

He asks that those participating in the march bring flashlights, glow sticks, anything that lights up – but "no torches." The marchers will then walk throughout downtown. "We're expecting 500 people," Covey said.

He added that Ferndale Pride will be selling blinking lights and items that glow in the dark for marchers who forget to bring lights.

Afterward, marchers are encouraged to patronize several of the bars sponsoring Ferndale Pride for various parties. Over at for the whole weekend, the bar will be transformed into Studio 54, beginning with a best-dressed contest. will feature drumming circles in the evening.

June 4

At 2 p.m., the second annual Dyke March will kick off from the alley behind the and head to . A rally will take place from 3-7 p.m. in the park.

Additionally, a shuttle will run all day from Rosie O'Grady's to Hart Plaza for Motor City Pride festivalgoers.

And if you want to get your car cleaned before you park and join the activities, the Motor City Bears are holding their fifth annual Bears in Speedos Car Wash from noon-3 p.m. at the Level One Bank, 22635 Woodward Ave.

June 5

On the last day of Ferndale Pride, local businesses will keep their pride colors hoisted and the party going with drink and food specials. Additionally, Rosie O'Grady's will hold the unofficial Pride after-party with live disc jockey entertainment and drag show performances hosted by drag queen Trixie Deluxe.

"This is just something we've put together in our spare time," Covey said, grinning.

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