Here’s what to do during Greater Palm Springs Pride this week
Greater Palm Springs Pride kicks off this Tuesday and goes until Sunday with plenty of things to celebrate for diversity and equality.
Now 30-years old, the festival was started to remember the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City, and has grown into one of the biggest LGBT festivals in Southern California.
It was announced in August that the National Grand Marshals for this year’s event will be the 49 victims who lost their lives inside Pulse Nightclub on June 12, 2016. Parade marchers will hold up signs representing each innocent victim lost that night.
Aside from the somber circumstances which lead this year’s parade there will also be plenty of other activities that celebrate the community and turn Palm Springs into a desert bloom of rainbow colors filled with Pride.
Here’s a list of the week’s scheduled events as reported from The Desert Sun:
George Zander Candlelight Vigil – At 6 pm Tuesday in front of Grand Central Market, 160 La Plaza in downtown Palm Springs, gather for a short program in memory of all victims of hate crimes.
A march to Calle Encilia and Tahquitz will follow for a wreath-laying and candle lighting ceremony. The event is named in memory of George Zander, an LGBT activist who was attacked Nov. 1, 2015 and died Dec. 10.
Stonewall Equality Concert – From 6 to 10 pm Friday at the US Bank stage on Arenas Road, enjoy live music from guest DJ’s Pauly and Monks and many others.
The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, whom received the Organization of the Year award from Greater Palm Springs Pride, performs at 8 pm Free.
Trevor Under the Stars – From 8 to 11 pm on Friday, guests can enjoy a performance from America’s Got Talent finalist Brian Justin Crum while catching a peek at special guests Lance Bass, Daniel Franzese and Georege Kotsiopoulos at the Tahquitz stage. The inaugural concert is a benefit for The Trevor Project, which assists in suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ youth.
General admission tickets are free, VIP available for $50.
Pride Festival – From 10 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday in downtown Palm Springs, guests can walk around and enjoy artists, entertainment from various stages, beverage gardens, dancing in the street and merchandise and food vendors. Free.
Pride Parade – From 10 am to noon Sunday in downtown Palm Springs, watch as 185 groups and organizations make their way along Palm Canyon Drive.
This year’s theme for Pride is “Solidarity through Pride.” The parade is touted as “the largest equal rights march and diversity celebration” in the region.
The parade will travel south along Palm Canyon Drive from Uptown to Downtown Palm Springs. Free.
Also, starting on Friday Nov. 4, get ready for “Desert Heat”, a weekend of fun from party producers Paul Nicholls and Justin David. For more information click HERE.
You can get more information on Pride Week and tickets to events by clicking HERE.
