Visitors at Long Beach Pride in 2017 showed their pride in many ways. Photo: Q Voice News.
Come out, come out wherever you are. It’s time for Long Beach Pride, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary
Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Pride, the nonprofit group that runs the festival and parade, was cofounded in 1983 by Marilyn Barlow, Bob Crow, Judi Doyle.
The festival and parade started in 1984 as an effort by the local gay community to make its own identity while living in the shadow of Los Angeles’ pride event.
The first parade lasted just 30 minutes, and the two-day festival drew 5,000 people to Palm Island, which was located at the end of Pine Avenue in what is Shoreline Drive.
Long Beach Pride history, from bulletproof vests to a hostile city
Long Beach Pride history also includes death threats and hostile push back from city officials.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Long Beach Pride Festival and parade
Festival road closures
- Shoreline Drive westbound between Alamitos Avenue and Shoreline Village Drive will close 10 a.m Thursday.
- Shoreline Drive eastbound between Shoreline Village Drive and Alamitos Avenue will close 7 p.m. Thursday.
- Shoreline Drive will re-open 10 a.m. Monday
Location
- The Long Beach Pride Festival starts Friday and ends Sunday along Shoreline Drive at Rainbow Lagoon and Marina Green parks. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets
- Single day general admission tickets are $40. Tickets for teens (ages 13-17), military/veterans, and seniors will be available at the box office for $20. Veterans and seniors will be required to show ID. Kids 12 and under are free, but must be accompanied by an adult.
Festival rules
- No re-entry
- No distribution of pamphlets, flyers, or handbills
- No solicitations
- No beverage containers allowed into the festival.
- No pets. Only service animals will be allowed.
- No folding chairs, bikes, skates, rollerblades, or skateboards.
- Anyone under the age of 21 found drinking alcohol will immediately be evicted from the festival.
Friday
- The teen pride festival will take place at Rainbow Lagoon Park from 4 to 9 p.m. Students need to have their school ID for free admission.
Dyke March
- “Bring your Big Dyke Energy Now” to the 10th Long Beach Dyke March at 7 p.m. the the Bixby Park Bandshell. Participants are encouraged to have posters and noise makers. An after party is scheduled for 9 p.m. at the Sweetwater Saloon.
Saturday
Long Beach Pride Festival
- Mya will headline the urban stage at 8:30 p.m.
- Symone will perform on the urban stage.
- Lucia Mendez and Edith Marquez will headline the Fiesta Caliente stage
Sunday
Parade road closures
- Ocean Boulevard between Redondo and Atlantic avenues from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Kennebec and Lindero avenues between Ocean Boulevard and First Street from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Molina, Temple, Orizaba, Paloma, Coronado avenues from Ocean Boulevard to Bronce Way from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- All north of Ocean Boulevard streets from Coronado to Alamitos avenues from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- All south of Ocean Boulevard streets from 19th to First places from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Parade
- The parade will take place Sunday at 10:30 a.m. It will kick off at Ocean Boulevard and Lindero Avenue and march west to Alamitos Avenue.
- Valentina, host of “Drag Race México,” will be one of several grand marshals.
Festival
- Laura León will headline the Fiesta Caliente stage.
- Mya will headline the urban stage at 8:30 p.m.
- The dance music tent will feature a variety of circuit DJs, including Dawna Montell (from 4 to 6 p.m.) and Ana Paula (from 6 to 8 p.m.).
