How to join San Francisco Pride 2023 with the Northern California Furries

by Patch O'Furr

For members who completed an RSVP

Photo: AniMajor

The SF Pride Parade – Sunday June 25, 2023 – General info at SFpride.org

Let’s go! The parade is on Market Street, from Embarcadero to the Celebration area at Civic Center. Spectators will be watching from 10:30 a.m. until late afternoon. ABC7 will be broadcasting the parade to watch from home.

Be there with 150 furries. Be there for the GO moment when the crowd roars. Hundreds of thousands of people will make the street your stage. Many furries will march and interact with watchers, while some will ride the float. It isn’t just for fun and photos, but also to say that we’re not going away. That’s Pride for LGBT people and allies, while we help bring the diversity of it all.

Northern California Furries first joined the parade in 2002, and last year marked their 20-year anniversary. This year brings more interest than ever. Thousands of furries will also join Pride events internationally — see other news and history in the Pride tag.

NOR CAL FURRIES MEMBERSHIP – RSVP for standby

We had open RSVP for up to 150 members but that is now closed. Due to parade regulations, you can’t be guaranteed a spot by showing up. If you are signed up for standby, you can come try to get a spot, with a Plan B to watch from the audience.

TIPS FOR GETTING AROUND – Be early!

This is a high energy, moving event that requires walking several miles and some self-reliance. There are 30 or so spaces on the float, so be ready to walk unless you have a condition that makes that challenging. Know your limits and don’t overheat, but expect mild weather. The float will have hydration and calories. The only bathrooms will be portapotties with long lines. Relay Raccoon is opening his apartment to host before and after (info below).

  • Start with breakfast and changing at Relay’s, or just start with the parade.
  • The parade starts miles away from Relay’s. Public transit is the best way to get there.
  • Don’t expect easy parking, and expect traffic jams with blocked streets, so rideshares may drop you off to walk the rest of the way.
  • Give yourself a lot of extra arrival time. The parade can’t stop, and latecomers get left behind. Seriously. Don’t cut it close.
  • At the end of the parade is the crowded celebration area. The marcher group will split towards there while the float drives away to park.
  • Try to push through the crowds, find the float and regroup. We strive to help, but this is when you may have to get yourself places on your own.
  • Pool people to share rides, or buddy up and find your way to Relay’s. The afterparty resumes there.

MARCHERS MUST ASSEMBLE by 11 a.m. – VOLUNTEER MONITORS by 9 a.m. – Map for the parade route

Find assembly area N1 for contingent #115. It is the west side of Main between Mission and Howard. (At rainbow paw on the map by Urban Park.) The float will be there at around 7.

  • Coming by car: No cars or dropoff are allowed at the assembly. If you’re very early, try a garage, or park farther away and take rideshare as close as it gets.
  • BART riders: go to Embarcadero. The south central exit is closest to the assembly. Any station can let you cross Market when the street is closed.
  • Allow time for costume changing. There could be hours to wait before step-off, and it will depend on every group that goes before, but don’t do anything that may delay going at any time.

COSTUME AND FURSUITING – No hard bins allowed!

Fursuiting isn’t necessary, and any themed clothing is OK for those who won’t do it.

  • Bring soft folding bags only, due to lack of cargo space. Repeat: NO HARD BINS. They won’t be carried.
  • Fursuiting on public transit is enjoyable for many members, and coming in fursuit is smart. So is changing at a car or right on the street (nobody cares at Pride.)
  • There may be an easy-up shade structure for changing but don’t count on much privacy. Start at Relay’s for more privacy.
  • Is your costume not safe for TV? Would the news censor it? Please check where the TV cameras are on the map, and stay far from them with respect for other marchers who want to be broadcast for friends and family at home.

PHOTOS – Group photo at 11:30 a.m.

Change and assemble for a group shot, after the final arrival and costume change time.

  • Please give all attention to the organizers, they will address the group!
  • We want photographers. If you plan to do photos or video, please share afterward. Join this channel to collect photos and ask an admin to give you posting power.
  • Hashtags for social media: #Norcalfurries, #Furrypride, #SFPride.

MOVING – Show your Pride and stay safe

Marchers: When the float starts moving, it won’t stop, and don’t try to climb it. Keep pace, avoid wheels, and listen to the monitors. Monitors are IMPORTANT, please be on the job. It’s about a mile and an hour long route.

  • Watch where the float is. Try not to bunch up, leave gaps or be too distant. The front-facing banner is where the crowds will see the group first, but going up to the side crowd barriers is good too. Use the whole street between the float and the crowds on BOTH sides. Dance, pose, give hugs and high fives. Wave at the TV cameras at their place on the map.
  • End at 8th and Market: don’t follow the float – continue walking forward towards Civic Center, then loop around for a few blocks to get back to 8th where the float should be. Regroup and pick up anything you had on the float, and plan to reach Relay’s.
  • Crowds have usual risks – see this safety page. No glass bottles are allowed. If you enter the festival at Civic Center, there’s an 18” x 18” size restriction on bags.

RELAY’S PLACE – Changing/breakfast and after party 

Relay’s place is near Dolores Park in the Mission district. Address is by request. You need an RSVP with @RelayRaccoon.

  • Early changing opens at 7:00 am and will close at 10:00 am for travel to the assembly.
  • The dinner party is after 5:00 pm and is only for age 21+.
  • From Relay’s to parade assembly, take BART or the J MUNI line from Church to Embarcadero.
  • After the parade ends, BART may take you from Civic Center to 16th and then it’s a 15 minute walk to Relay’s, or use Muni J Church.
  • Remember, street parking will be scarce.
  • More after party volunteers are wanted!

NEED HELP ON SUNDAY? 

Volunteers will be hard-pressed, so please contact them only for emergencies after using net search, the group and other members for advice. Contacts: @Zorenmanray, @Patchofurr, @Mr_Disk0, @Superjayhawk, @DidgeDingo, @RelayRaccoon

SEE YOU THERE! Art for banners by Kado Husky.

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