Photo via Pride at the Village.
Pinellas Park, Fla. | The third annual Pride at the Village will be held May 20 from 2-8 p.m. at Pinellas Arts Village, welcoming Central Florida darling and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Ginger Minj to benefit Diversity Arts.
The celebration has made history during each of its iterations. Pride at the Village became the first official Pride celebration held in Pinellas Park in 2021 and in another first, welcomed government officials in 2022 to proclaim June 18 as Pride Day in the city. View photos here.
“All are welcome in the City of Pinellas Park to live, work, play and retire,” Vice Mayor Patti Reed told attendees at the time. “Every family deserves a place to call home where they are safe, happy and supported by friends and neighbors.”
It’s with that in mind that Pride at the Village returns.
“We are excited to be hosting the third annual Pride at the Village festival, Pinellas Park’s original Pride celebration,” organizers say. “Last year’s event brought the Pinellas County community together in celebration of diversity. This year’s event will include a full line up of entertainment — including headliner Ginger Minj of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season 7, All Stars 2 and 6 as well as ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ and TV films.”
Pride at the Village will include more than 60 local artists, vendors and community organizations with live music, a DJ, food trucks, in and outdoor bars and a new art exhibit. “Authentically Us: A Celebration of Community and Diversity” will be highlighted at Studios @ 5663.
Entertainment includes Family Story Time at the Barbara S. Ponce Library, followed by the Miss Pride at the Village pageant from 4-6 p.m. Minj will headline this year’s drag extravaganza from 6-8 p.m., which also features local fan favorites Kenya M. Black, Aquariius, Imani Valentino II and hostess Daphne Ferraro.
Following the signing of four anti-LGBTQ+ bills by Governor Ron DeSantis May 17, however, drag performances will be 18+. Organizers stressed in response that the show must go on.
“With the current political climate this year’s Pride is of utmost importance across many states including our own,” Pride at the Village Founder and Curator John Gascot says. “I am excited to see our community and allies rally in support and celebration of our beautiful diversity.”
For more information about Pride at the Village 2023, visit the event link here. Learn more about Diversity Arts at DiversityArtsInc.com.
