Come Out With Pride: Orlando Pride
This weekend, the big draw in Orlando won’t be the mouse, as more than 100,000 people are expected to flock to the “Magic City” for Florida’s largest gay pride celebration of the year: Come Out With Pride Orlando. Thanks to the creativity of Disney and Universal Studios, this promises to be one of the premier gay events in the Sunshine State. Events will take place around the city, with Saturday’s festivities taking place all the way around the beautiful Lake Eola. Hotspots is proud to work with the organizers of Come Out With Pride as one of the sponsors of the weekend.
Although Pride Day is Saturday October 6th, the celebration kicks off on Thursday October 4th with the Opening Ceremony taking place from 7-10 at The Abby. There will be drink specials and a silent auction to raise money for charity. There is no cover but there are $25 VIP tickets available.
Thursday is also Pride @ Halloween, a spooky event, hosted by Universal Studios. Admission for the pride event includes a private park entrance, a free t shirt, as well as a $10 drink coupon to use at the main pride event on Saturday.
The action continues on Friday evening as Hamburger Mary’s hosts a comedy night. The show starts at 8:30 so get there early. There is no cover, but reservations are suggested.
Saturday is Pride Day, with the Pride Festival kicking off at noon. There will be more than 150 vendors, food trucks, and plenty of drinks to keep the fun going all afternoon. Several stages will be set up to present live music and entertainment including performances by: Live Hart, the Orlando Gay Chorus, Josey, and there will be a live Commitment Ceremony. (Somebody, somebody, somebody’s getting married!) There will be something for everyone. The Pride Parade will start at 4. The folks at Disney, who know a thing or two about parades, have been enlisted to help this year, so you WILL NOT want to miss it. It promises to be the “friendliest and most colorful gay pride parades in Florida.” The Grand Marshal is Debbie Gibson, who will also perform live later that evening at Parliament House.
Don’t worry; the party isn’t over after the fireworks on Saturday night (Which you can get a private VIP table, dinner and drinks to watch). If you feel like dancing, head over to Parliament House for the Debbie Gibson Show and relive your “Electric Youth.”
Come out with Pride continues on Sunday with Recovery Brunch at Hamburger Mary’s followed by Splash, a pool party at the Double Tree Hilton in downtown Orlando.
With so many events on the schedule, there is no way that we could mention them all here, but make sure you “Come out with Pride” this weekend. For more information, go to www.hotspotsmagazine.com/orlando-pride
You can find maps, ticket info, vendor info, and much more there. While you are out and about, keep your eyes open for the Hotspots banners and stop by our booth and say hello. We look forward to seeing you there, and we are proud to be the Voice of Florida for almost 30 years. (We don’t look a day over 25 though!)
