35th Annual Long Beach Pride Celebration Starts Today

Long Beach Pride is upon us! The Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival and Parade is back this weekend to celebrate the 35th Anniversary with “Remember the Past, Create the Future” theme. The organization is collaborating with old and new community partners to make this year a fun and interactive weekend.

The festival will take place from May 19 to 20 at Shoreline Marina, Green Park, 450 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach CA 90802. The park will feature five music stages: the Main Stage, Country Stage, Dance Stage, Fiesta Caliente Stage and Urban Soul Stage. More than 50 musical artists, DJs and bands will step on the stage to celebrate pride and enjoy the party.

Jussie Smollet, actor and singer on the television series “Empire” on the Main Stage this Saturday May 19, 8:30pm. Acclaimed musician Sheila E. is set to headline at the festival at on Sunday, May 20 at the event’s main stage at 8p.m. The noted performer has carved a name for herself as one of the world’s most gifted and iconic percussionists, having collaborated with numerous talents such as George Duke, Marvin Gaye, Gloria Estefan and Prince. Her current album “ICON” was followed by U.S. and European tours, as well as the release of her biography, “The Beat of My Own Drum” from Simon and Schuster.

Other artists include a big names in the LGBTQ community like DaniLeigh, Ava B, Echo V, HYM and DJ Spark to name a few. For a complete listing, visit: longbeachpride.com/main-stage/

The Teen Pride Wonderland and Family Fun Zone have been re-designed. This year’s Teen Pride partners for the area include The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, represented by Joel Gemino, Youth Services Manager, who will oversee Teen Pride. The event will take place at Rainbow Lagoon Park, 400 Shoreline Driveon Friday, May 18th from 4pm – 9pm. Joel along with “the Mighty Group” a youth group at The Center, have created an evening that will feature a talent show, performances, guest appearances, a gaming truck, photo booth, free food, beverages, DJ’s, raffles and gift bags. Teen Pride is a free event with valid ID for LGBTQ teens and allies between 13 and 19 years old. This Alice in Wonderland-themed party will include a Mad Hatter Contest and Drag Teen Contest. Teens can enter the contest by wearing their best Mad Hatter themed outfit.

The Senior Fun Zone will be open for seniors 50 and older looking for an escape from the main festival area. Activities will include bingo, coffee and karaoke. Admission is included with the festival ticket.

The Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade will kick off at 9:30 a.m. with a pre-parade show at the parade grandstand on Ocean Boulevard between Junipero and Cherry avenues. The parade step off will take place 10:30 a.m. at Ocean Boulevard and Lindero Avenue.

This year’s selected Grand Marshals participating in the parade include Alendra Billings as Grand Parade Marshal; First District Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez as “Morris Knight” Political Grand Marshal; Rev. John P. Huffmans as the Judith Doyle Community Grand Marshal; Porter Gilberg as the Bob Crow Community Grand Marshal; Jessie Haase and Debbie Lambert as the Marilyn Barlow Community Grand Marshal; and Kobe James, Dr. Robert Garcia Youth Grand Marshal Award.

To learn about street closures at this year’s Long Beach Pride on visit longbeachpride.com/