7th Annual Pride Festival and Parade

• When: Sept. 9 to Sept. 11
• Where: Downtown Champaign
• What is it: While Champaign-Urbana Pride kicks off on Friday, the main events occur Saturday. The only Downstate Illinois pride parade, it will kick off at 3 p.m. with Senator Dick Durbin serving as Grand Marshall. Other events occurring during the festivities in CU Pride workshops, the Drag Brunch and The Big Gay ‘80s Prom.

Krannert Center Opening Night Party

• When: Friday Sept. 9, 6 p.m.
• Where: Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave.
• What is it: The Krannert Center is opening the 2016-2017 season with a night full of activities, performances and food. Outdoor food vendors from Rick’s Bakery, Caribbean Grill, Piato, Siam Terrace, KoFusion and El Oasis will be present. The Pedrito Martinez Group, Davina and the Vagabonds and Red Baraat are headlining the performances.

University YMCA Friday Forum

• When: Friday Sept. 9, 12 p.m.
• Where: University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St.
• What is it: The YMCA kicks off their Fall 2016 Friday Forum Lecture Series. This semester the is “On The Issues: Analyzing the 2016 Elections.” On September 9, John K. Wilson will host a lecture on “The Myth of Political Correctness: Free Speech, Donald Trump, and the Conservative Attack on Higher Education.” Unless otherwise noted, all lecture series take place in the the YMCA’s Latzer Hall.

Wassaja Hall Dedication

• When: Thursday Sept. 8, 1:30 p.m.
• Where: Wassaja Hall, 1202 S. First St.
• What is it: Campus community members are invited to the dedication of the University’s newest dormitory, Wassaja Hall. The dorm is named after the Yavapai tribal given name of Carlos Montezuma, the first Native American graduate of the University.

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