Daytona Beach | The “Pride-O-Nine – Stonewall Remembered” festival will mark the 40th anniversary of the police raid on the Stonewall Bar in New York City, considered by many to be the spark that gave birth to the modern-day LGBT rights movement in this country. The three-day Daytona Beach festival will promote LGBT pride and equality June 26-28. It is organized by OneDaytona, a new coalition of organizations and businesses that support the LGBT community.
The festival’s main event is a party on June 28 on the rooftop of The Streamline, a four-story Art Deco hotel located on Daytona’s beachside tourist strip. It kicks off with an interfaith worship service at 10 a.m. hosted by New Church Family, followed by a noon concert featuring Canaan Band, a St. Petersburg LGBT group that plays a mix of gospel and secular music. Canaan Band has recorded two albums and performed at churches, pride festivals and LGBT conferences around the country.
Afterward local musicians, dancers and performers will entertain festival attendees as non-profit organizations and other vendors showcase their goods and services. Emcee Miss Gabbi Haze will introduce the winners of the Miss, Ms., and Mr. Daytona pageants held during June. Organizers will serve picnic-type refreshments while the Streamline’s Penthouse Bar will offer cocktails and soft drinks.
The pride weekend kicks off with a TGIF party at 7 p.m. on June 26, and a relax-after-the-beach tea dance from 2-6 p.m. on June 27. The Streamline will also offer regular entertainment starting at 11 p.m. each night. All events are free.
OneDaytona is a community-wide not-for-profit organization created by the Greater Daytona Beach Business Guild and New Church Family to sponsor pride, social and political events promoting LGBT equality. Individual memberships are $10 and corporate sponsorships cost $100. More information about the organization, and the Pride-O-Nine – Stonewall Remembered Festival is available at OneDaytona.com or by calling (386)761-5565.
