‘Rinse and repeat’: Buffalo Grove Pride Parade heading into its eighth year

Posted May 28, 2026 5:15 pm

Steve Zalusky

Those who enjoyed last year’s Buffalo Grove Pride Parade can expect a “rinse and repeat” this year, said Carolyn Pinta, director of BG Pride and the Pinta Pride Project.

The eighth Family Friendly Pride Parade is Sunday, June 7. The parade will step off at 11 a.m. at Buffalo Grove Road and Thompson Boulevard, continuing to the Buffalo Grove Fitness Center. But Pinta said pre-parade activities are expected to begin around 10 a.m.

The Buffalo Grove Park District is hosting a separate event, a Pride Picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Mike Rylko Community Park, 951 McHenry Road.

Pinta said the parade has about 100 entries, on track with last year.

Spectators lining the parade route can expect to see and hear the Lakeside Pride Marching Band, the Chicago Spirit Brigade and Windy City Cheer. There will even be representatives from Chicago-Style Roller Derby.

The grand marshals are Susan Goedke and Chris Woodard, co-founders of the Mundelein LGBT Alliance and Allies. Attendees of past parades will recognize their perennial red Mustang convertible.

For a long time, balloons were provided by the late Tommy DeLorenzo’s company, Balloons by Tommy. This year, Tommy’s widower is providing the balloons through the company, renamed Fenix Balloons.

Sponsors include area businesses, including School of Rock in Arlington Heights, Original Bagel & Bialy of Buffalo Grove, Veterinary Emergency Group in Buffalo Grove, the area League of Women Voters, the LGBTQ+ Center of Lake County, Progressive Palatine, Liberal Moms of the Northwest Suburbs, Buffalo Grove Trustees Joanne Johnson and Dave Weidenfeld, the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre and several Jewish and Christian congregations.

This year’s theme, Pinta said, is “Flower Power: Let Pride Bloom.”

“So just love, joy, peace, celebrating people that are having a rough time in this country right now, and a show that no matter what is going on, we here are marching on in a very progressive way,” she said.