Residents sheer on marchers during the Long Beach Pride Parade along Ocean Boulevard, May 20, 2018. Photo by Stephen Carr / StephenCarrPhotography.com
It’s looking a lot like Long Beach Pride.
The rainbow colored flags are hung with care along Ocean Boulevard, signaling that thousands of onlookers will soon be there.
This year marks the 41st anniversary of the Long Beach Pride Festival and Parade.
Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Pride, the nonprofit group that runs the festival and parade, was co-founded 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 also includes death threats and hostile push back from city officials.
Ellie Perez, Long Beach LGBTQ Center interim executive director, accused of hostile work environment
Here’s everything you need to know about the festival along the waterfront and the parade.
Location
- The Long Beach Pride Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday along Shoreline Drive at Marina Green Park. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.
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 flags or banners
- No outside food
- 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
- Teen Pride is a free event and will feature performances, DJs, dancing, and food booths. It will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at Marina Green Park. The entrance is at the eastern end of the park near Gaucho restaurant. Teens will need their school ID to enter.
- “Bring Your Big Dyke Energy Now” to the Long Beach Dyke March at 6 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
- Saucy Santa will headline the Founders Stage
- Other performers include Reyna Roberts and comedian Robert McCormack
Sunday
Parade road closures, no parking
- No Parking from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Ocean Boulevard from Redondo to Atlantic avenues, including side streets on the north and south sides of Ocean Boulevard.
Street Closures
- Shoreline Drive between Ocean Boulevard and Shoreline Village Drive, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Ocean Boulevard between Redondo and Lindero avenues, including side streets, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Ocean Boulevard between Lindero and Atlantic avenues, including side streets, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Alamitos Avenue between Ocean Boulevard and Broadway, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Parade
- The parade will start at 10 a.m. at Ocean Boulevard and Lindero Avenue and march west to Alamitos Avenue.
- Saucy Santa, former Long Beach Pride board members, and DJ Irene will be among numerous grand marshals.
Queer daytime dance party
- Lipstick Lover will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at Vine. 21+, no cover.
Festival
- Ivy Queen will headline the Founders Stage
- DJ Irene and Valentina are among the other headliners
