Palm Springs Pride marks 40th anniversary with parade, festival, new Arenas District event

Palm Springs Pride is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend with a festival, three entertainment stages and a parade in downtown Palm Springs.

Organizers expect 220,000 people to attend the event, which has the theme “Be Included.” P.S. Resorts is the primary sponsor, and the city of Palm Springs and The Arenas District are presenting sponsors.

The Arenas Stage opens at 3 p.m. today with DJs, live music and drag performances, including Tom Aspaul at 7:50 p.m. and a Luxx Noir London DJ set at 10:05 p.m. Pride on the Drive, a new event this evening on Palm Canyon Drive, adds light decorations, art projections, music, food and drinks, along with a 100-foot Ferris wheel.

The Pride Festival & Marketplace opens at 11 a.m. Saturday with more than 250 exhibitors, nonprofit groups, artists and vendors. A new Pride Tiki Bar will be on Palm Canyon Drive between Tahquitz Canyon Way and Arenas Road.

Saturday also includes a 5K run and walk at 8 a.m. in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood. Advance registration is required at PalmSpringsPrideRun.com.

The Cowgays perform on the Arenas Stage at 6 p.m. Saturday, following Sizzy Rocket at 4 p.m. and preceding MODGIRL’s “Glitter Ball” at 8:25 p.m. At 8 p.m., Brothers of the Desert presents “Palm Springs Is Burning!” on the Community Stage at Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way, a mini ball celebrating Ballroom culture, which is rooted in Black and Latino queer communities.

The parade runs 10 a.m. to noon Sunday on Palm Canyon Drive, from Tachevah Drive south to Amado Road. Fortune Feimster is the national grand marshal, Cheyenne Jackson is the celebrity grand marshal, Marshall Pearcy is Pride Royalty for Life and Gary Moline is the community grand marshal.

The festival continues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Aubrey O’Day closes the Arenas Stage at 6 p.m., and GAYC/DC performs at 2:05 p.m.

A Deaf Pride reviewing stand north of Amado Road on North Palm Canyon Drive will have sign-language interpretation. Accessible parade seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The festival also includes a Children’s Headquarters, a Youth Zone for ages 14 to 21 and a substance-free Recovery Oasis, and Eisenhower Health is providing first aid.

Ferris wheel rides cost $10 for adults and $5 for children from toddler age to pre-teen, and proceeds help keep Pride free. Greater Palm Springs Pride, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, also accepts donations at pspride.org. More than 150 volunteers help run the festival and parade.

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