June 11, 2024 – Woodland, CA – CommuniCare+OLE is thrilled to announce that it will be hosting the 4th annual Pride Parade in downtown Woodland on Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in partnership with Yolo County Health and Human Services and Woodland United Methodist Church. The parade, which begins at Cleveland and Main, will conclude at Main and 2nd Street. At the conclusion of the parade, the community is welcome to continue to march with Pride and participate in an ice cream social and resource fair at the Woodland United Methodist Church, located at 212 2nd Street, where there will be giveaways, games, photo booth, and more. Queer Icon, DJ Lady Char, will be providing music to create a festive atmosphere to celebrate love and inclusion.
“This year as many LGBTQ+ communities are under attack across the country, it is more important than ever that we come together this Pride Month and show support and allyship for our LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors,” said Alicia Hardy, CEO of CommuniCare+OLE. “We invite the entire community to join us to celebrate love, self-expression, and inclusion this Pride month.”
This celebration is made possible through partnership with the Yolo County Health and Human Services Department and Woodland United Methodist Church.
Before 2021, the city of Woodland didn’t have an official Pride celebration. When CommuniCare+OLE (at the time, CommuniCare Health Centers) began offering more LGBTQ+ services in Woodland in 2019, there was a strong desire from the staff and LGBTQ+ members of the community to do more to affirm and celebrate LGBTQ+ individuals. A grant became available under California’s Elevate Youth program in November 2020, allowing for the first annual Woodland Pride Parade in June 2021.
Since its inception, the event has grown and evolved. In its first year, the parade took place at Woodland Community College, marching on the sidewalk that serves as the perimeter of the campus. About 100 people participated that year. The event filled the center of campus with a tabling event of several community partners and a line up of performances, including a dynamic drag show.
In 2022, it was moved to downtown Woodland. The march began in front of the CommuniCare Family Wellness Center and proceeded on the sidewalks to the Farmers Market downtown. In 2023, the Parade was fully permitted by the city, and the parade was able to proceed down Main Street with its more than 200 attendees.
This year, anticipated attendance is expected to top previous years. The following organizations are currently signed up to participate in the parade:
- CommuniCare+OLE
- Davis Phoenix Coalition
- Mojo’s Lounge & Bar
- Planned Parenthood Mar Monte
- Visión y Compromiso
- Woodland Area Roller Derby
- Woodland United Methodist Church
- Yolo County Diversion Courts
Those interested in signing up can do so by clicking here.
About CommuniCare+OLE
CommuniCare+OLE is the result of a 2023 union of two health centers with deep roots in their respective communities and reputations for providing high-quality primary care to all, regardless of insurance or ability to pay: OLE Health of Napa and Solano Counties and CommuniCare Health Centers of Yolo County. Building on a legacy established by both organizations in 1972, CommuniCare+OLE is a network of federally qualified health centers with 17 sites across Napa, Solano, and Yolo Counties. It offers comprehensive care, including medical, dental, behavioral health and substance use treatment, nutrition, optometry, pharmacy, care coordination, referrals, and enrollment assistance to more than 70,000 individuals, and no one is turned away due to lack of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay. Many services are offered outside of its sites, including mobile health, home visiting, and community and school-based programs.
