Pride Cometh Before the Brawl

Have patience navigating downtown this weekend, as Austin plays host to two huge events:

On Saturday night, the fourth annual Austin Pride Parade takes place at 8pm. The parade route starts south of Town Lake on Congress Avenue heading downtown, making a loop along 4th and 5th street to San Antonio before completing the roundtrip back to Congress and Riverside. Put on by the Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Interpride, this year's theme of Equal Rights: No More, No Less continues the parade's mission of "promoting a positive image of pride, joy, unity and diversity in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community in the capital city." Austinist encourages you to come and support tolerance in our community!

Also, expect to see hordes of Harleys and Goldwings packing the streets all weekend, as it's once again time for the annual Republic of Texas Biker Rally. In its eleventh year running, this mother-of-all-rallies expects to host upwards of 37,000 bikers with an action-packed schedule of live music, races and (we're hoping) raucous beer brawls. Austinist expects that if you can squeeze your way into any of the bars or clubs this weekend, you're sure to meet some interesting characters. The rally lasts from Thursday, June 2nd through Sunday, June 6th.

*Photo lifted from Austin Pride Parade's archives