In Which the State of Maryland Gets Rich: NBC Washington reports that the state of Maryland will erect speed cameras along a stretch of the Capital Beltway. The area between University Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue, which is slated for major construction in the coming years, will be the target. According to NBC, "The speed limit will remain 55 mph, and State Highway Administration spokeswoman Valerie Edgar says drivers would have to be going 12 or more miles over the limit to get ticketed." Though the slower speeds are ostensibly for safety measures while construction's going on, DCist points out that this will be a major revenue generator for Maryland. Given heavy traffic, it's pretty hard to get up to 55 on that stretch of the Beltway as it is, but prepared to pay $40 if you don't slow your roll. -3

"So I Can Keep Track of the Visions in My Eyes": Sulaimon Brown's hijinks are gifts that have kept on giving. First, it was the sunglasses. Now, WAMU producer Michael Martinez has remixed choice soundbites from Monday's hearing on Brown's hiring by the Gray administration over Corey Hart's original one-hit wonder. (Bonus, unrelated meme-ification of local D.C. government officials: A .gif of Mayor Vince Gray rolling his eyes, courtesy of DCist editor Aaron Morrissey.) +4

Activities for all Stripes: If you couldn't tell by the arrival en masse of rainbow-printed bunting along 17th Street NW and the rest of greater Dupont Circle, Capital Pride is this weekend. There's a lot going on, but our own Arts Desk has you covered with picks for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Be sure to look for City Paper's float in the Saturday parade, wherein some staffers will be dressed as cupcakes (a D.C. take on birthday cake—appropriate as we celebrate our 30th anniversary). Not stoked enough? Look through Darrow Montgomery's photos from last year's Pride. +2

Yesterday's Needle rating: 56 Today's score: +4 Friday Bonus Points: +2 Today's Needle rating: 62

It's the last weekend of Capital Pride and that means it's time to head down to the annual parade Saturday evening. The procession starts at 5:30 p.m., heading through Dupont Circle and ending at 14th and N NW. Check the route map for specifics and watch for the Washington City Paper float. Some of us will be dressed as cupcakes.

For a preview of the parade, check out Darrow Montgomery's great set of photos from last year's parade.

Capital Pride Parade, June 12. © Matt Dunn.  See more photos here.

LL was there with camera. Behold!

Adrian Fenty, Mr. Smart Car, opted for something a bit larger than his signature everyday conveyance for parade purposes: a white Hummer. Not a mini-Hummer, either—the big one. Gotta support American automakers these days, right? (What's that? Hummer's been sold to the Chinese? Whatever.)

Before the march, Bill Rice and John Falcicchio engage in high jinks:

No one tosses beads like Hizzoner:

After the parade, Fenty and his 30-some marchers (including sons Matthew and Andrew) gathered for pictures:

Vincent Gray's wheels were even less fuel-efficient. But his giant truck at least carried a couple of dozen staffers supporters:

Gray again handed out custom beads with a "One City" pendant:

Jack Evans and family (that's companion Michelle Seiver) hanging out pre-parade:

Evans had 25-plus in his retinue:

Eleanor Holmes Norton showed off her signature parade pose:

Phil Mendelson showed LL his campaign-ready tough-guy look:

Mendo alone among politicos opted for leis over beads. Gal pal Carol Mitten helped hand 'em out:

Mendo couldn't ask for a better advertisement than this homemade banner, which led his entourage:

And just so you know Mendo means business, his retinue was followed by a black Cadillac driven by his "muscle" (aka staffer Mike Battle):

Mendelson's likely challenger, former DPR chief Clark Ray, was also marching, but near the back, with local Gay Games promoters:

A smattering of "DC NEEDS CLARK RAY" stickers (in Fenty green-and-white) were spotted in the crowd:

David Catania printed up custom marriage equality signs—one of the most popular items along the parade route:

Once again, Catania had a special guest rider: Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh, aka the Queen of Green. LL asked Catania if he was king of anything: "The King of Queens, honey!"

Kwame Brown, however, was the king of bling, riding in a Porsche 911 Carrera:

Staffer Enrique Fernandez Roberts captured the hipster demo however, with his Kwamefied scooter:

Kwame brought a bubble machine, but LL did not see it in use:

Fenty wasn't the only politico to somewhat de-green. Tommy Wells traded in the Zipcar Mini Cooper he had last year for a Toyota Tacoma pickup:

For the second year running, couple Michael Ulrich and Paul Cooper, whom Wells joined in marriage, participated:

After missing the Pride parade for the first time in decades last year, Jim Graham was back in the saddle this year:

In one of the more eardrum-unfriendly developments, Graham marchers sported whistles:

Muriel Bowser brought a strong crowd:

Gay rights legend Frank Kameny, among the festival honorees:

D.C. For Marriage:

Gertrude Stein Democratic Club:

D.C. Democratic State Committee:

Ward 7 Democrats (Juan Thompson, right):

Ward 8 Democrats (Phil Pannell and Charles Wilson):

UPDATE, 4:20 P.M.: A couple of addenda:

Doxie McCoy, spokesperson for Gray, writes in to point out that "more than staffers were riding with the Chairman. We had people from GLOV/Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence, DC for Marriage, Metro TeenAIDS, and Gertrude Democratic Stein Club, in addition to reps from DC Vote, Pre-K for All DC, State Board, etc."

And Charles Allen, Wells' top aide, notes, "Just for the record, Tommy had rented a Mini-Cooper again. Zipcar notified him on Friday that they were cancelling his reservation because the car had to be taken into the shop for repairs. The Tacoma was the only open top (-ish) vehicle left in the Zipcar fleet on such short notice."

OK, green cred's intact!

The festival's biggest draw happens tonight, when the world's first drag supermodel takes the stage at Town Dance Boutique.  Yes, RuPaul is performing on the main stage at midnight and it's sure to be a memorable show.  Fishnets and heels are not mandatory but with two dance floors, come prepared to groove.

After the jump, Pride events for the rest of the weekend...

For those who prefer a more mellow evening, the 9:30 Club is hosting a Women's Pride Concert tonight with musicians Meshell Ndegeocello and Melissa Ferrick. Enjoy the music starting at 7 or come to the dance party at 11 to prepare for even more fun.

The epic parade through Dupont Circle kicks off on Saturday at 6:30 on the corner of 23rd and P Streets NW.  Decorated floats, organized groups, and individuals will wind their way through the streets before ending in Thomas Circle.  "The Last Dance" at the Hirshorn Museum follows the parade at 9 p.m.

Capital Pride 2009 culminates in the annual street festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, featuring three stages of entertainment.  RuPaul will be back to close the show, as will some of the area's most popular impersonators.  Events for families, area vendors, and local musicians will also be set up around the festival.

So come on out, dance a little bit, and celebrate diversity.  The patios along 17th Street are already covered with rainbow streamers.