Sylva Pride will parade through the streets for the first time in three years come Sept. 20, following a July 23 town commission vote. The parade will take place at the 6th annual Sylva Pride Festival. This year’s theme is “rainbow rodeo.”
For the last two years, Sylva commissioners have denied Sylva Pride’s request for the temporary road closure permits required for a parade, citing safety concerns and constraints on manpower. Commissioners Perry Matthews and Sam McGuire voted yes to the resolution, with the stipulation that Sylva Pride pay for half of the costs the county would incur from the parade, while Blitz Estrige provided the only no. In the discussion preceding the vote, commissioners weighed the messaging and the costs associated with the decision. (Commissioner Joe Waldrum and Mayor Pro Tem Brad Waldrop were not present at the meeting.)
