Everybody uses the phrase “the new normal.” But this year’s Stonewall Pride Parade & Street Festival took us back to the old normal.
The parade was staged along Wilton Drive all the way back to 16th St. The Drive was lined with tents and local vendors selling everything from jewelry to vacations. Restaurants and food trucks kept people fed. Bars set up sidewalk stands to keep people hydrated. Stages blared music from DJs and local performers.
It was so normal, you may not have noticed. But when you look back over the past few years, it’s the first “normal” Stonewall since 2019.
2020: Canceled due to pandemic
2021: Deadly accident in parade staging area cancels parade
2022: Florida tries to ban drag in public
2023: Hours of soaking rain depress attendance, revenue
2024: Outstanding bills from 2023 lead to failed attempt to give festival to new producers
Of course, a lot of hard work went into making sure everything and everyone was safe.
Metal detectors were added this year and may have helped prevent a tragedy. WMPD says as the parade was stepping off, just around 8 p.m., a man named Michael Monheit set off a metal detector. Police say he just kept walking after being ordered to stop.
Officers caught him and found a loaded gun with backup ammunition. He did not say why he had a gun or ignored security. Monheit is charged with trespassing and carrying a concealed firearm.
The Sun-Sentinel reports Monheit’s concealed carry permit was revoked after he was committed under the Baker Act, a law allowing people to be held in a mental hospital for up to 72 hours.
His was the only arrest of the day.
Organizers and officers were so efficient that unless you were right there as it happened, you would never have known.
“I feel we had a much safer event. We markedly improved [the] safety of the event,” Stonewall CEO Jeff Sterling said.
Also new this year, people were able to buy their tickets online, at presale prices, as late as when they were approaching the gate, which organizers say helped keep lines short.
Organizers do not have any estimates on gate revenue yet.
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