The parade's theme is shhhOUT! - Past, Present & Proud! and is part of the Capital Pride Celebration Weekend, Pride in the Nation's Capital. Pride in the Nation's Capital is comprised of more than 50 events celebrating the spirit and strength in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities in Washington, D.C. and the national capital region.

Holtby will participate in the parade on the Monumental Sports and Entertainment float with MSE staff members, who will be distributing team giveaways. Mural artist and LGBTQ activist Lisa Marie, who created a rainbow ALL CAPS mural at 2412 18th ST NW in Washington, D.C., also is marching with the contingency. The mural is one of six located across the region. For more information on the murals, visit WashCaps.com/Murals.

The 2019 Capital Pride Parade marks the third year Holtby has participated in pride festivities, having marched in previous parades with Monumental Sports & Entertainment. Holtby has served as the Capitals' Hockey is for Everyone ambassador during past Hockey is For Everyone campaigns. Last September, Holtby was invited to be a speaker at the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner, where he shared remarks on the importance of equality. In February, Holtby led several Capitals players for the third-consecutive year in using sticks wrapped in rainbow-colored 'Pride Tape.' The stickes were auctioned off, raising $18,300 for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

The annual Capital Pride Parade draws 150,000 spectators, travels 1.5 miles through segments of the city important to the LGBT community, and this year will include more than 200 contingents. The celebration is produced by the Capital Pride Alliance, a nonprofit entity incorporated in the District of Columbia with the purpose of supporting, celebrating and inspiring our diverse communities with the annual Capital Pride events and related activities throughout the year. For more information on the Capital Pride Parade and the complete schedule of events during the 2019 Capital Pride Celebration Weekend, visit CapitalPride.org.

Video: Holtby, MSE staff march in 2017 D.C. Pride Parade