by Carrie Baker

SAN FRANCISCO, May 25, 2006 – It’s that time again. Summer is almost in full swing and with summer comes the fabulous pride parades and festivals that we look forward to all year long. It looks like many of us will be looking forward to one particular pride parade and celebration more than any other.

This year Jennifer Beals has been named Celebrity Grand Marshal for one of the largest Pride events in the country, San Francisco Pride! Beals, who is currently starring in Showtime network’s The L Word, is taking time out of her filming schedule to appear in the 36th annual Pride parade and festival.

The festivities kick off on Saturday, June 24th from noon until 6 pm. The parade, in which Jennifer will ride on the main float, will ride down Market Street beginning at 10:30am. The rest of the festival starts at noon on Sunday and ends at 7pm.

Along with filming The L Word, Beals has a few other projects in the works. She has the upcoming films The Grudge 2 and Troubled Waters, both in post production. Never fear, however, Jennifer will be back to grace our television screens on Sunday nights as Bette Porter sometime in early 2007, until then, go out and get your fix while supporting a good cause, San Francisco Pride.