Imperial Court Float Makes Waves in Anchorage Parades

The Imperial Court of All Alaska won float honors at two Anchorage parades, winning Best of Theme in the Independence Day Parade and Best Overall in PrideFest's Celebrating Diversity Parade.

The float was built by the 2008 Anchorage Ducal Court, led by Keith Heim and Donna Parsons. 

The float's "Out is IN" sign for PrideFest was changed to "We're ALL In" for the July 4th Parade, in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Alaska's Statehood.

Myster of Own The Sidewalk took a picture of the float (left) and pointed out the Court member in the blue and white dress:

This lovely lady called out over the loudspeaker to the very conservative Dan Sullivan, standing next to us on the sidewalk: "Dan Sullivan! Dan Sullivan! I went to high school with you! You probably don't remember me."

In her post on the Independence Day Festival, Myster said, "One of the many joys of living downtown is proximity to Park Strip parties. Another is that sometimes you get to see a drag queen heckle Dan Sullivan."

In March, the ICOAA float got attention at the Fur Rondy Parade. "The only actual float was the Imperial Court of All Alaska, which is the oldest gay community organization in Anchorage," wrote Troy B. Thompson. "They also happened to be playing the best music and seemed to be having the most fun."