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For members who completed an RSVP

Photo by Heather

The San Francisco Pride Parade is Sunday, June 30, 2024 — General info at SFpride.org

The biggest outdoor furry event of the year is back for Northern California. Don’t miss this huge party and statement of progress for LGBT people and allies. ABC7 will broadcast the parade to watch from home, while hundreds of thousands of people line the street from 10:30 a.m. until late afternoon.

The NorCal Furries will march on Market Street, for a mile to the end near the Celebration area at Civic Center. Over 200 are expected to come and be loved more than ever, after being shortlisted for a Best Contingent award last year. They have been in the parade for over 20 years (see the Pride tag). This year they have an after-party at their own club for the first time. Here’s how to participate!

JOINING THE GROUP — RSVP here

If you don’t RSVP, you can’t be guaranteed a spot and may be turned away, so join now!

• Telegram event chat group: The live connection to everyone and best place to get help.
• Telegram off-topic chat group: For talk that isn’t crucial for the event.
• Donations are still accepted: Help pay for the float, because volunteers work hard to make this.
• Volunteers are still welcome (message a group mod).

PRE-PREP AND AFTER-PARTY at Spritz! 181 Eddy Street — RSVP here, must be 21+

Spritz! is 21+ by law, so bring ID for checking at the door. The club is a short walk from Powell BART. You can meet and suit up before proceeding to the start of the parade, and meet afterward to desuit, eat, drink, relax and party. There will be DJ’s, food, drinks, chill space and play space.

• At 9 – 10:30am, you can change clothes and get breakfast before leaving for parade assembly. You can leave personal items and pick up after the parade.
• At 5 – 11pm, dinner is provided at the after-party, and you don’t have to be in the parade to come.
• Donations and volunteering are welcome, message @RelayRaccoon on Telegram.

from Callie Cat

PREPARATION AND GETTING AROUND — Map of parade route and meet spots

This is a high-energy moving event. It requires walking several miles and self-reliance to get around the city. There are 200 members but only 30 spaces on the float, so be ready to walk unless you have a mobility challenge (contact a mod for a rider space). Know your limits and don’t overheat, but expect mild weather. Hydration will be provided. The only bathrooms are portapotties with long lines. Dress right, bring sunscreen or snacks as needed, and a charged phone. Don’t bring anything you can’t carry, cargo items may be turned away.

Know the map and schedule for the full day:

• Streets will be gridlocked with traffic before the parade, so don’t expect parking or rideshare near it.
• It’s smart to ride BART. See the BART info page about their Sunday schedule and tips for Riding With Pride.
• You can start at Spritz! for breakfast and changing, or just start at the parade assembly.
• Parade assembly is a mile from Spritz! and public transit is the best way to get there.
• Give yourself a lot of extra time to get there, because the parade won’t wait, and latecomers get left behind. Don’t cut it close!
• At the end of the parade, marchers split away from the float, and will need to go several blocks through crowds to regroup.
• Regroup (if you want water and a break): Quaker Meeting House, 65 9th St.
• Go with others or get yourself back to Spritz! Any BART station lets you cross Market when the street is closed.

Read on for details by hour.

PARADE ASSEMBLY — Use 155 Main Street for directions, marchers arrive no later than NOON and volunteers by 11 am.

Find assembly area N2 for contingent #132, on Main between Mission and Howard. The float will be there very early, so you can arrive as soon as 8am.

• Coming by car: No cars or dropoff allowed at the assembly. You may find garage space if you’re very early (by 8am) and plan to get breakfast.
• Using BART: travel to Embarcadero station. The south central exit is closest to the assembly.
• There may be hours to wait, but expect to hang out and don’t plan anything except leaving this time open for parade step-off.
• Again, if you arrive later than noon, you may be left behind, don’t cut it close!

COSTUME AND FURSUITING — No hard bins, soft folding bags only at parade.

Fursuiting isn’t required, wear any themed clothing, but for suiters:

• NO HARD BINS at parade, they will be turned away, only soft folding bags will be carried, pack light and avoid bringing extra cargo.
• Suiting on public transit has been fun for many members, and coming in suit is smart.
• Change at Spritz! or you can also change at a parking garage or right on the street (nobody cares at Pride.)
• Consider partialing for comfort, and expect rough streets, don’t wear soft indoor feet.
• Is your costume not safe for TV broadcast? Contact a group mod to discuss and make arrangements.

PHOTOS — Group photo at noon.

Be photo-ready if costuming, and stay alert to assemble because the crowd will be chaotic.

• We want photographers, and if you plan to do photos or video, please tell us and share afterward.
• Join this Telegram channel to collect photos and ask @patchofurr to give you posting power.
• Hashtags for social media: #Norcalfurries, #Furrypride, #SFPride.

WHAT TO DO IN THE PARADE – Show your Pride and stay safe.

When the float starts moving, it won’t stop, and monitors will stop anyone from going on or off. Keep marching pace and listen to the monitors. Monitors please be on the job! It’s about a mile long route that takes an hour.

• While marching, be alert about where the float is. Try not to bunch up as a group, leave gaps or be too distant. The front-facing banner is how watchers see the group first, but going up to the side crowd barriers is good too. Use the whole street between the float and crowds on both sides. Dance, pose, give hugs and high fives. Wave at the TV cameras placed early in the route.
• End at 8th and Market, but don’t follow the float. Marchers continue walking forward towards Civic Center, then loop around for a few blocks to regroup at Quaker Meeting House, 65 9th St.
• You can rest at Quaker Meeting House until 5. Spritz! has dinner at 5 but you may go there right away. Make sure to pick up personal items before leaving.
• Crowds have usual risks, see this street safety page. No glass bottles allowed. For continuing to the festival at Civic Center, bags and many other things are restricted, see the SF Pride security info page.

NEED HELP ON SUNDAY? 

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

SEE YOU THERE! Special thanks to all above organizers and Spottacus for helping make this possible. Art for banners by Kado Husky.

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