ORLANDO | Come Out With Pride announced the theme for the 2017 Orlando Pride celebration in a statement Aug. 15.
The theme, “#KeepDancingOrlando,” is a continuation from last year’s rallying cry “Celebrate, Honor, Heal” when the community came together for Pride just four months after Pulse, the worst mass shooting in modern American history.
The press release states “what began as a movement last year in response to the Pulse tragedy will continue to heal and build unity in our community.”
“While more than a year has passed, the loss of those taken from us on June 12 is still felt every day,” said COWP Board President, Brian Riha, in the statement. “Yet despite all the negativity and hatred we witness in the news every day, the people of Orlando know that love, kindness and respect towards others is the right path. #KeepDancingOrlando will honor the memories of the 49 by showing that we will prevail.”
The creators of last year’s #KeepDancingOrlando movement are joining with COWP to ensure the community continues to heal and move forward, according to COWP’s website.
“This year, we will continue to honor their memory by keeping the music going. We’ll have dancing in the parade, dancing throughout the festival, and even an entire dance area sponsored and joined by employees from Pulse,” the website reads.
The official COWP festival and parade will take place at Downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola on Saturday, Oct. 14. Attendees are expected to come from all parts of Central Florida and beyond, with numbers estimated around 150,000.
COWP will kick off Pride Week with the Annual Metropolitan Business Association’s Pride in Business Awards Gala Oct. 7 and the launch party is scheduled for Oct. 12.
COWP’s partnering sponsor, special events, Grand Marshalls and entertainment lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
