Cops Relent; Pink Saturday Is ON, Kids

First of all, your facts are incorrect. We looked at having six bar locations, not eight. Second, we don't appreciate the statement about the annual drunken block party.

You make it seem more like a drunken fest rather than a celebration of diversity and community – which is what Pink Saturday is. Having been associated with Pink Saturday for 10 years, and working on a team to produce it for seven years I don't see it as a drunken block party. It is a celebration of pride.

Above and beyond the Sisters are concerned about safety for the merchants, attendees, volunteers and ourselves. And although we are introducing alcohol this year, we are doing so to one, block all outside containers and beverages, raise more money for charity, add our own safety controls around the drinking inside the event and most of all, to pay for private security.

This year we are implementing private security which all attendees must go through prior to entrance to the event. There will be no large bags, outside containers or beverages. This is a nighttime event with no history of trouble and we intend to keep it that way.

This year we are also introducing food vendors, four stages and three DJ dance areas with the main stage at 16th and Market.
The areas include two new additions to represent diversity in our community. The first is Dyke March Landing on Market Street halfway between Noe and Castro and the second is our Global Village on 19th and Castro which is sponsored by Pride and Club Papi which reaches out to our Latino, African American and Asian brothers and sisters.

While there will be alcohol at the event, we encourage everyone to drink responsibly or you will be asked to leave. We don’t want one bad apple to spoil the nation’s largest gay nighttime event.