The Street Parade is the most attended technoparade in the world, since the end of Love Parade 2010. It takes place in Zurich, Switzerland and is the largest annual event in Zurich. Officially a demonstration for freedom, love and tolerance attended by up to a one million people, it proceeds along the side of Lake Zurich on the second Saturday of August.
History
1992 — participants: 1,000
The first Street Parade took place on September 5, 1992, initiated by student Marek Krynski and officially called the Demonstration for Love, Peace, Liberty, Generosity and Tolerance. About 1,000 took part in dancing behind two Lovemobiles.
1993 — participants: 10,000 — temp: 27 °C
In only its second year, 10,000 ravers participated.
1994 — participants: 20,000
The parade was nearly banned by the head of the police department Robert Neukomm and Monika Stocker, but strong protests from the media, the population and the techno music scene forced the city to back down. Since then the parade takes place every August with a lengthened route around the corner of Lake Zurich. The first compilation was published that year: Energy 94 Streetparade - The Disc.
1995 — participants: 150,000 — temp: 24 °C
As many as 150,000 Swiss and foreign ravers come to the Street Parade. The double-disc Street Parade 95 is the first dedicated release.
1996 — participants: 350,000 — motto: The Rave-olution continues
For the first time, the Street Parade is organized by its own dedicated Association, founded by Marek Krynski, Barbara Suter and Christoph Soltmannowski. The official logo of the Street Parade is conceived: a stylized "P" inside a rounded red star.
1998 — participants: 450,000 — temp: 28 °C — motto: It's All In Your Hands
The Street Parade can be first heard in a live CD, directly recorded on a Lovemobile. As music plays, the crowds are heard cheering and celebrating in the background. In this way the disc uniquely portrays the voice of the Street Parade.
1999 — participants: 550,000 — temp: 30 °C — motto: More than Words
Radio Street Parade goes on the air for about two weeks prior to and about a week following the Street Parade. Radio Street Parade broadcasts techno music, electronica and dance, interviews with DJs and musicians as well as reports about the Street Parade.
2000 — participants: 750,000 — temp: 32 °C — motto: Believe in Love
2003 — participants: 900,000 — temp: 37 °C — motto: Let the Sun Shine
Very hot weather with partly clouded sky. Attendance slightly down to an estimated 900,000. However, this contrasts to far more drastic declines in the Berlin event. The direction of the route was reversed in this year in order to reduce noise levels on certain streets, and to provide better exits for the trucks.
The Street Parade again reaches a 1,000,000-person count.
2005 — participants: 1,000,000 — temp: 23 °C — motto: Today is Tomorrow
A million ravers and visitors are officially cited once again. The Street Parade Radio ran into some financial difficulties, but was rescued by the Zurich local radio stationEnergy Zürich and the free newspaper 20 Minuten. Beer was for the first time available at official drink stands. It was perceived by many that the Street Parade took on a more aggressive tone than before.
2006 — participants: 800,000 — temp: 17 °C — motto: Move Your Mind
2016 — participants: 1'000,000 — temp: 26 °C — motto: Zurich is unique'''
Organization
Since 1996, the event is organized by the Verein Street Parade. Today, the Street Parade has all the character of a popular festival, however legally it is still a political demonstration. This frees the organisation of security costs, among all else that the city takes under its charge.
Political aspects
According to the official website, "The Street Parade is still a demonstration that calls on everyone to live together in peace and tolerance."
Alternatives
Since 1996 the counterparade Antiparade takes place in Zurich on the same day as the Street Parade to provide an alternative to it. Similar to the Fuckparade in Berlin, the goal of this smaller technoparade is to demonstrate against the increasing commercialisation of club culture.
