Put on your favorite rainbow flag-gear and get ready to celebrate — Pride season kicks off with PrideFest on March 12 and 13. Hosted by Pride South Florida, a non-profit organization consisting of individuals interested in promoting positive images of gays, lesbians, and transgender people, the annual two-day event attracts thousands of attendees and 250 gay and gay-friendly vendors.
The mission of Pride South Florida is “to provide the South Florida community with various functions throughout the year, to promote and engage in educational, civic and cultural activities in order to enrich the lives of gays, lesbians, bisexual, and transgender people and the community as a whole, and to work together to achieve common goals.”
In its 34th year, PrideFest is not just a fun way to celebrate your pride, the event is a fundraiser where proceeds are donated to local charities. Some of the groups that benefited in the past include Red Hispana Florida, South Florida Musical Guild-Pride Wind Ensemble, South Florida Gay Men’s Chorus, Women In Network, Arts United, Transgender Equality Rights Initiative, Stonewall Library & Archives, KP Productions, Names Project and Lambda Men’s Brotherhood.
Each year, talented local and national performers energize the crowd. Some of the performers set to appear at this exciting event this year include country superstar Chely Wright, Georgie Porgie, Debby Holiday, Linda Clifford, Shelina, Chantal Carrere, Terri Caitlin, Heather Craig, Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus, Marc Hansen, Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Chorus, South Florida Pride Jazz Ensemble, KP Productions, Church of the Holy Spirit Song, Mark Angelo Cummings, Rising Action Theatre, Bishop SF Makalani-Mahee, DJ Miik, DJ Bugie, DJ Sol, DJ Gina, MC Craig Stevens, MC Donna & Denise and MC Derek Hartley.
During PrideFest weekend, many local bars participate by throwing Pride parties. The Depot and Pride Factory are coming together to present the official PrideFest Saturday After Party on March 12 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., so when the festival ends that day, you can keep partying into the night.
For a full list of events going on that weekend or to find out about volunteering at the event, visit www.pridesouthflorida.org
