Pride Celebration Back In-Person In San Mateo County This Weekend

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — San Mateo County will celebrate Pride in-person this year, with the 10th Annual Pride Celebration returning to downtown San Mateo on Saturday.

The celebration will take place at Central Park on Fifth Avenue and El Camino Real from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event had been held virtually the last two years due to the pandemic.

“We are excited to be able to celebrate in person, which is critical for the emotional support of the community and to remind them that we are all still here, together,” said Scott Gruendl, Pride Initiative co-chair and assistant director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services.

The parade’s theme, “Still Here, Still Proud!” is meant to recognize the 10th anniversary of the event and the return to in-person festivities.

“It was 11 years ago that the San Mateo County Pride Initiative marched in the San Francisco Pride Parade, which provided the inspiration to create the local commemoration,” said Dana Johnson, Pride Initiative co-chair and County LGBTQ commissioner.

Organizers said this year’s event will be smaller than previous iterations. It will be spread out and all festivities will take place outdoors amid COVID-19 concerns. A vaccination/booster booth is also expected to be available.