The 40th anniversary Palm Springs Pride weekend was underway Friday in the Arenas District and the downtown area, with the festivities set to culminate with a parade and festival on Sunday.
The multi-day celebration, themed “Be Included,” was expected to draw 220,000 attendees and generate $38 million in direct economic impact for local hospitals, restaurants and retail, organizers said.
Friday’s festivities will feature DJ’s, live music and drag performances until 11:30 p.m. at the Arenas District stage.
Participating artists include DJ Electrox, J.A.Y., DJ Thiccboi, Alexa Kamryn and Hunny Kita.
A new event created for this year is “Pride on the Drive,” featuring a 100-foot Ferris wheel, music, food and art on Palm Canyon Drive. Eisenhower Health personnel, the official medical and first aid provider for the weekend, will be available throughout the event, with first aid stations located on Arenas Road between Hunters and Streetbar.
Saturday will begin with a 5K run and walk at 8 a.m. at the historic Old Las Palmas neighborhood. The 3.1-mile course will support several LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations.
Festival attractions for all ages will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, including a marketplace with more than 250 vendors, organizations and artists, a tiki bar and live entertainment featuring headliner The Cowgays.
The festivities will conclude Sunday with the annual pride parade from 10 a.m. to noon on Palm Canyon Drive — beginning at Tachevah Drive and traveling south to Amado Road.
The parade will feature colorful floats, marching groups, community organizations and advocates.
This year’s grand marshals will be Fortune Feimster as the National Grand Marshal, Cheyenne Jackson as the Celebrity Grand Marshal, Pride Royalty for Life to Marshall Pearcy and Gary Moline as the Community Grand Marshal.
Organizers said a parade stage will be available at East Granvia Valmonet and North Palm Canyon Drive. A sign-language interpretation will be provided with seating for the deaf community at north of Amado Road on North Palm Canyon Drive.
The festival will continue with marketplace vendors, exhibits, and live entertainment, including Aubrey O’Day as the headliner at the Arenas District stage.
A complete schedule, including live entertainment set times and a map, is available at pspride.org.