2009 Parade Awards

Each year, we ask our Grand Marshal and several invited Pride organizers from other cities to serve as Parade Judges at the Announcer's Stand across the street from the Grandstand at 9th and Hennepin.  This year, we are pleased to honor the following units with various Parade Awards.

Minneapolis Movie Bears, Best Float

Announcer's Description:  Next UP is the Minneapolis Movie Bears. As a parody of the new theatrical release of Disney and Pixar Studio's UP. The Minneapolis Movie Bears "Up with Pride" shows off another colorful display of Pride. There are days that we all want to simply tie a bunch of balloons to our house and escape the madness of the city life. The unlikely duo of the Wilderness Explorer Russell and the Carl Fredrickson, the 78 year old balloon salesman, go on an adventure across the world! By joining the movie bears you too can have a weekly adventure to the theaters around the metro. The Minneapolis Movie Bears is a social organization catering to the Gay and Lesbian Community. We are a group of Bears, Cubs and their friends, located in Minneapolis/St Paul Metro Area that gather socially to provide fun, great conversation, and a chance to relax, hang out, visit with friends, meet new friends, and expand your social network together. Join them on Tuesday's. For more information check out their website at Minneapolismovieabears.com.

Human Rights Campaign, Best Use of Theme

Announcer's Description:  HRC, The Human Rights Campaign, is the nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization with over 750,000 members and supporters. Please welcome the Twin Cities Steering Committee Chapter! Joining HRC in the parade this year is United States Senator Amy Klobuchar!

The Firm, A Workout Studio, Best Use of the Rainbow

Announcer's Description:  The Firm: A Workout Studio has been kickin' butts since 1986. They have been voted Best Workout by Self magazine, OUT, and Lavender. They have been a proud sponsor of the GLBT community and are very proud of all their gay staff and clientele.

North Country Bears, Best Overall Unit

Announcer's Description:  Nonprofit social organization; Included in Lavender Magazine's Fab 50 as a top Local Social Organization and raises money for local causes, including District 202

Minnesota Freedom Band, Grand Marshal's Choice

Announcer's Description:  The Minnesota Freedom Band is a Twin Cities-based lesbian and gay concert and marching band. We are a voluntary, nonprofit, musical organization composed of lesbians, gay men, and their friends. Although we come from different backgrounds, our common bond is the desire to make music and share it with the community in which we live and work.

It is our hope that the presence of such a band can encourage others to become active and proud participants in their community. Although the Minnesota Freedom Band consists of predominantly lesbians and gay men, we welcome all interested individuals who support musical growth and gay and lesbian people. Because we have both gay and straight members, our musical statement is more powerful. We join together to show that people of different sexes, ages, creeds, colors, and sexual orientation can unite toward a common goal.

The Minnesota Freedom Band is a charter member of Lesbian and Gay Bands of America (LGBA), and members have attended every LGBA conference since its founding in 1982.

If you're interested in joining the Minnesota Freedom Band, attend one of our weekly rehearsals held each Monday 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., September through May.