LANCASTER – A Lavender Graduation, a VIP comedy show, a performance by Alaska from Ru Paul’s Drag Race and a car show are just a few of the highlights scheduled for AV Pride 2014!
The 6th annual event takes place from 1 to 11 p.m. this Saturday, May 31 at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, located at 2551 West Avenue H in Lancaster.
Hosted by The OUTreach Center, AV Pride celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) people, their allies and culture; and the annual event draws over 2,000 attendees each year.
View a flyer for AV Pride 2014 here.
A Lavender Graduation will open the festival at 1 p.m. The program honors LGBTQ students and allies graduating from elementary through college/technical school programs. Keynote speaker Francisco Duenas, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, will accept the Standing Out Advocate Award on behalf of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. The Out Project will also name the recipient of The Spirit of Family Service Award.
The first-ever Pride Ambassador presentation begins at 2:30 pm., a program to encourage young people to take an active service role with the LGBTQ community. Applicants were asked to submit a topic essay or drawing by May 15. The finalists will participate in an onstage question and answer, and three representatives will be selected at the festival: Junior Pride Ambassador (ages 7-10), Youth Pride Ambassador (ages 11-15), and AV Pride Ambassador (ages 16-20). The winners will participate in community parades, festivals, and LGBTQ community activities for the next year.
New to this year’s event is the inaugural AV Pride Car Show. The event features diverse categories for vehicle entry, photos with the Rockabilly Ladies of Wicked Halo Modeling, and a chance to win the Pride of the AV $100 Grand Prize. Entries will be judged as Keep It Classy, Best Getaway Vehicle, Truckin’ Along, Sponsor’s Choice, and Pride of the Show People’s Choice. Registrant fee is $20 and participants receive a dashboard plaque, t-shirt, certificate, and two admission tickets.
The Main Stage will showcase live entertainment from local performers highlighted by a special drag performance by singer Alaska of Ru Paul’s Drag Race at 9:30 p.m. There will also be an outdoor club space for attendees to dance away the evening to the sounds of DJ Tish Corleone.
Vendors have been relocated to the air-conditioned Pride Marketplace inside the Hunter Dodge Pavilion, which will remain open until 11 p.m. Kids Zone has also moved indoors and will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. Kids Zone includes stage entertainment, games, big chess, face painting, arts, and crafts.
How to attend
Fair admission is $5, and parking is free until 3 p.m.
The new Oasis VIP area can be accessed with a $10 ticket upgrade. Oasis features a 90-minute comedy show opened by Showtime Pride Comedy Jam comic Raneir Pollard. Followed by California’s Funniest Female Shelagh Ratner, the act will then be closed by renowned comedian Nico Santos of “Chelsea Lately” fame. The Oasis ticket includes full bar access featuring designer cocktails all day.
For more information on tickets, the Pride Car Show, the Ambassador Program, vendors, performers, or to volunteer at the event, call 661/92-PRIDE or visit OUTreachCenterAV.org.
For many pictures from previous AV Pride festivals visit our Facebook page here and here.
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Audrey Griswold says
It’s ignorant people like Bob who stigmatize these events without ever having been to one. This day is about celebrating equality and having a great time among people who are accepting of all. Stay home Bob and speculate incorrectly or come down and have a fun day, just like you would at the AV Fair. You know, gay people go there? With their families? You wouldn’t even know. Open your mind and realize that this is 2014. You might surprise yourself and have a great day!
Not a Big Deal.... says
I went to the event today because I was invited by a friend. To tell you the truth, it was a little anti-climactic. If you were looking for crazy people in drag and mass kiss-ins of gay folks, you would be sorely disappointed. I’ve seen crazier crowds at the A.V. Fair. If you wanted to adopt a puppy, however, it was the place to be! Sorry to disappoint the homophobes.
Not a Big Deal.... says
….or if you wanted a heated game of chess. There were several chess tables set up. It was a veritable den of iniquity!
Bob says
A great place to take your kids so they can watch men hugging and kissing other men. Oh it will be so wonderful.
Lizard Queen says
Are we homophobic Bob?
Red says
@Bob, yeah you’re so right, I’d much rather take my kids to somewhere where they could learn hate and intolerance. You do understand you don’t have to go, so is it okay we also have the same choice as you? That’s embarrassing
Red says
@Bob, aren’t we ignorant today
Red says
@Bob, thanks Grumpy Old Person, WOW. You are the perfect example.
Red says
@Bob, most people won’t say stuff like that in public but once again you surprise us with with your willingness to never let us forget, your ignorant behavior knows no boundaries.
bird says
Bob—Are you that insecure! Hugging and kissing is a good thing. Let’s all have a group hug. Peace and love to all.
EducateEveryone says
Peace and love to everyone! Why can’t they show how much they love each other by kissing and hugging? Who made you perfect and forgot to notify the rest of society? Please!!! You obviously lack some serious “edumacation”. (:
Crystian says
Just moved to the AV 5 months ago. I am beyond excited to see that the AV is having this event.
Audrey Griswold says
We welcome you Crystian! It I’d going to be a great day!!!
John says
I had so much fun last time and am excited to go again.
Go AV Pride!