Arts & Entertainment

Washington Caps’ Braden Holtby will walk in Capital Pride Parade

The LGBTQ ally will participate for the third year

Published

6 years ago

June 5, 2019

**Braden Holtby** at the Capital Pride Parade.

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby will walk in the 2019 Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, June 8, according to NHL.com.

Holtby can be spotted on the Monumental Sports and Entertainment float where he and MSE staff members will be distributing giveaways. His wife Brandi Holtby also may appear in the parade as she asked her Twitter followers who would be coming by for the parade. The post included a photo of herself and Holtby standing in front of the rainbow Caps mural (2412 18th St. N.W.) painted by artist and LGBTQ activist Lisa Marie. Marie will also march with the contingency.

It’s finally #PrideMonth y’all! ?️‍? who’s coming to the parade next weekend?? pic.twitter.com/xweFfCmHA2
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) June 1, 2019

This is Holtby’s third time marching in the Capital Pride Parade. He was joined by his wife Brandi in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, Brandi walked alone in the parade due to Holtby’s participation in the Washington Capitals’ Stanley Cup win festivities.

He has also served as Capitals’ Hockey is for Everyone ambassador for three years. He spoke at the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner in 2018 and spearheaded a movement of Caps players using sticks wrapped in rainbow-colored “Pride Tape.” The sticks were auctioned off for $18,300 which were donated to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

Holtby also declined to visit the White House with the Capitals in March.

The 2019 Capital Pride Parade is on Saturday, June 8 starting at 4:30 p.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue between Third and Seventh Streets N.W.

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Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns bigger than ever with two-day WorldPride celebration

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16 hours ago

April 15, 2025

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The Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier will be extended to a two-day celebration in honor of WorldPride coming to D.C. this year. Taking place on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at The Wharf, this year’s event promises more entertainment, more community, and more pride than ever before — all set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of our nation’s capital.

With the addition of Friday, the party kicks off at 3 p.m., with the inaugural WorldPride Boat Parade at 7 p.m. As an Official WorldPride Partner event, the boat parade will feature 30 decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel. For information on signing up for the boat parade contact Stephen Rutgers at [email protected].

Saturday’s signature Pier Party kicks off at 12 p.m., featuring a drag show, DJ’s, streaming of the WorldPride Parade, and the iconic Fireworks Show Presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation — one of D.C. Pride’s most anticipated spectacles.

“We’re expanding Washington Blade Pride on the Pier to reflect the excitement and momentum building for WorldPride in D.C.,” said Blade publisher Lynne Brown. “It’s a celebration of our community’s progress and a powerful reminder of the joy and visibility Pride brings to the heart of our city.”

Now in its seventh year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.

Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access, hosted bars, and private viewing areas for the boat parade and the fireworks show. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.

Friday VIP: 5-9 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, cash bar and complimentary drink.

Saturday VIP Session #1: 2-5 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered food, and an open bar.

Saturday VIP Session #2: 6-9 p.m., enjoy the air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered snacks and dinner, and open bar with a front-row view of the fireworks.

Event Details:

📍 Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq., S.W., Washington, D.C.)
📅 Dates: Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7, 2025
🛥️Boat Parade: 7 p.m. (June 6). 🎆 Fireworks Show: 9 p.m. (June 7)
🎟️ VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP

Event sponsors include Absolut, Capital Pride, DC Fray, Infinate Legacy, Heineken, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Relish Catering, Washingtonian, and The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePierDC.com