PrideFest of the Palm Beach is going to be bigger and better than ever.
This year, PrideFest of the Palm Beaches will be bigger than ever. In its 17th year, the two day event is put on by Compass, which is the largest gay and lesbian center in the Southeast United States. The event attracts more than 12,000 attendees annually throughout South Florida and the Treasure Coast. More than 140 businesses participate in the festival, which features live performances, entertainment for all ages, refreshments and a giant parade.
This year, PrideFest of the Palm Beaches will be bigger than ever. In its 17th year, the two day event is put on by Compass, which is the largest gay and lesbian center in the Southeast United States. The event attracts more than 12,000 attendees annually throughout South Florida and the Treasure Coast. More than 140 businesses participate in the festival, which features live performances, entertainment for all ages, refreshments and a giant parade.
The theme of the festival this year is Glee. Julie Seaver, Director of Development at Compass said it was an easy decision.
“Glee touches on a celebration of pop culture and has the anti-bullying theme which is so important with our youth,” she said. “Not to mention a lot of adults love it because it takes us back to when we were in high school.”
There will be many exciting entertainers performing over the two-day “Glee-ful” event. The stage will be emceed by DJ Josh Daniels on both days and Florida House Representative and lead vocalist for Datura Street Band, Jeff Clemens, and his band will once again open up the stage at the festival. Performing modern and alternative rock covers, their set list varies from the Rolling Stones, to Prince, Billy Idol to Maroon 5. Also on stage, there will be appearances by local advocates and drag queens Ricki Rollick and Melissa St. John. Saturday’s featured entertainment includes a variety of folk rock and Indie with Teri Catlin. Also, the crowd will enjoy special performance by Drag It Out. On Sunday, Velvet Lenore and company will rock the park with their burlesque-inspired numbers.
The biggest event during the weekend is the parade which takes place on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at South L Street and Lucerne Avenue, and will be marshaled down Lake Avenue to Bryant Park.
Thanks to presenting sponsor Wachovia Wells Fargo, the parade will be on a larger scale.
“It’s a very big deal, said Tony Plakas, CEO of Compass.
Wells Fargo’s historical stage coach will be in the parade in its first appearance at a Florida Pride. The coach has been featured in Pride parades in California, Chicago and New York previously.
In addition, seven horses from the Gay Polo League in Wellington will also be in their large parade. Seaver said that the horses will bring out a lot of families, which is important to Compass which prides itself on being extremely family-friendly.
“It will bring out a lot of families who would otherwise not come out for the parade so they can see what kind of diversity there is in town,” Seaver explained.
Another exciting addition to the parade this year is the groundbreaking Grand Marshall – Former State Senator Dave Aronberg.
“It might be the first time a State Senator has been the Grand Marshall in a Pride Parade in Florida,” Plakas stated.
The parade is being sponsored by The Cottage on Lucerne Avenue and thanks to their support, it will be double the size that it was in past years, Plakas said.
“It’s bigger and better than ever,” Plakas added.
INFO:
PrideFest of the Palm Beaches
Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27
Noon to 6 p.m.
For further information, visit www.compassglcc.com
