The first-ever Carytown Pride Parade brightened up the last weekend of Pride Month with the sights, sounds, and colors of Pride.

Dogs, babies, families, drag queens, and many more came out to celebrate the last weekend of Pride month at the first-ever Carytown Pride Parade on Saturday. 

The event, hosted by AlterNatives boutique, started with a parade where participants marched down the sidewalks of Cary Street sporting rainbow outfits, facepaint, and flags. 

“We wanted to show our support [to the LGBTQ community] and join in the Pride month festivities,” said AlterNatives’ manager Tiffany Refazo, explaining the inspiration behind the parade. 

According to Refazo, event organizers were very impressed with the turnout, boasting approximately 200 participants despite temperatures being in the nineties. 

The parade after-party in the AlterNatives backyard featured booths from organizations like Diversity Richmond and free HIV and STD testing by Nationz Foundation. Attendees made bracelets or had their face painted while watching a drag performance by local Richmond performers. 

Valerie and Teresa McCall, a couple originally from New York City, particularly loved the drag show. “It reminded us of being back in New York,” said Valerie. 

Though the parade and party was hosted by AlterNatives, other Carytown businesses including Mongrel, Chop Suey, Ladles and Linens, Bombshell, Lex’s, and Sugar and Twine contributed to the Pride celebration by raising money to donate to Diversity Richmond. 

This year’s parade was the first of its kind, but Carytown businesses are planning to continue the tradition with more Pride events next year.

“This year was a learning experience but we are definitely planning on hosting this next year — maybe even at a bigger location,” Refazo said.

Top Photo: Participants walked from AlterNatives boutique down to Arthur Ashe Boulevard for the parade; by Hadley Chittum.