For the first time, the Superior City Council is going to welcome festival-goers at this year's Pride Festival.
The council Tuesday night directed Council President Tom Bridge to write a letter welcoming festival-goers to the Twin Ports.
"The reason I bring this forward is I have a request for that community and they pointed out that this is the 22nd year they had that festival over the Labor Day weekend into the Duluth/Superior area," Councilor Ed Anderson said. "...Duluth welcomes the festival and I think we should get on board with welcoming them to our community. That's all I'm asking for is just a welcome."
The weekend kicks off on a Thursday night with a reception in Duluth. Three days of events include a patio party at the Flame, an overnight bonfire on Wisconsin Point, a "Fruit Float" cruise aboard the Vista fleet, a gay pride parade and the annual drag show to raise money for AIDS research and education at the Main in Superior.
Not everyone on the council thought welcoming the group was necessary.
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"This particular group advocates a certain lifestyle and other groups advocate other lifestyles that are in conflict with that one," Councilor Chuck Hendry said. "You've got born-again Christians and different church groups that would take issue with this lifestyle. I think it would be good if the council stayed out of it."
He stood alone in voicing opposition to the letter.
"I understand that some people are definitely in conflict with it, but I think a welcome from the city of Superior would not be unreasonable," said Councilor Jackie Stenberg. After all, she said, the festival does have an impact on the Twin Ports economy.
