SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Despite Saturday's rain, one of San Diego's biggest parties went on as planned.
The Pride Parade kicked off at 11:00 a.m. on University Avenue in Hillcrest.
And thousands were there to celebrate.
Watch CBS News 8's Shannon Handy's full video report above.
[This is a story update. Previous story below]
SAN DIEGO (CNS) - San Diego LGBT Pride events are scheduled to kick off Friday morning with a display of the rainbow flag at the State Building downtown.
The oversized flag was draped over the east side of the building and will remain on display through the weekend, according to the office of Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego.
The speaker received permission from Gov. Jerry Brown to display the flag to honor the gay and lesbian community, following the June 26 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
"It's emotional and it's exciting, because so many people -- all we want is the ability to be who we are and to be with the people that we love," Atkins told CBS8. "I think it's about moving hearts and minds, and today it really feels good as we look toward celebration this weekend."
The annual Spirit of Stonewall Rally, which commemorates a 1969 protest against police harassment in New York, is set to begin at 6 p.m. at Marston Point in Balboa Park. The fourth annual Pride of Hillcrest Block Party is scheduled to begin at the same time at the intersection of University Avenue and Normal Street.
The annual pride parade is set for Saturday at 11 a.m. along University Avenue in Hillcrest. A music festival will be held Saturday and Sunday in Balboa Park.
"Pride is for everyone -- whether you're a lesbian or gay or bisexual or transgender or a straight ally, we want everyone there," Stephen Whitburn of San Diego Pride said at a City Council meeting earlier this week.
"Pride is about having tens of thousands of people of all different stripes coming together to celebrate who they are and to celebrate each other," Whitburn said.
For more Information about pride events, CLICK HERE.