Miami Beach Pride
Mar 30 - Apr 5, 2020
By: Ian Maloney | March 19, 2019
2019's Miami Beach Pride "Out of This World" parties and events will last almost an entire week from April 1-7 and will culminate with a two-day festival on Saturday and Sunday along the sands of Lummus Park in South Beach, and the 11th Annual Pride Parade parade down Ocean Drive starting at noon.
For the past 11 years, Miami Dade’s LGBTQ community has celebrated Pride during early April in Miami Beach. What started off as a relatively modest crowd of 15,000 people at the first event in 2009 has ballooned into one of the most popular parties along Ocean Drive, drawing over 140,000 people in 2018.
Coming off the most successful event in its history, the Miami Beach Gay Pride Board of Directors decided on a new name: Miami Beach Pride, (they dropped the word Gay from the name) "which reflects the changing landscape of the LGBTQ+ and allied communities and better mirrors the inclusiveness of the celebration," said Bruce Horwich, chair of the Miami Beach Pride board of directors.
Horwich went on to say that 2019's installment of Miami Beach Pride promises to be "Out of this World." Signifying the galactic appeal of this annual celebration, the “Out of this World” theme for 2019 harkens to a “Star Trek” inspired future where different people (and different planetary races) enjoy full equality. The theme also means that during the parade and festival, guests and participants will experience an abundance of otherworldly images and décor, representing the “Big Bang” experience Miami Beach Pride provides the community.
EVENTS
Miami Beach Pride is starting off strong with a rainbow flag raising ceremony at Miami Beach City Hall, which kicks off the week on Monday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. This will be followed by a "Flip the Switch" event at 7 p.m. for the third annual "Pride Lights the Night" where buildings throughout greater Miami will light up in the colors of the rainbow flag in remembrance of the PULSE nightclub victims. Flipping the switch in front of 1111 Lincoln Road will be Pulse survivor Josean Garcia Guzman.
There will also be a cocktail party and MegaMixer networker at the Shelborne South Beach on Tuesday, April 2, as well as a "business of pride" workshop on Wednesday night followed by the opening celebration for a new photography exhibit by George Daniell at the World Erotic Art Museum, and a free community night at the Perez Art Museum Miami on Thursday night. But the highest energy events will happen over the weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday, April 6 and 7, the Miami Beach Pride Festival will take over Lummus Park between 10th and 12th Streets. Just east of Ocean Drive, the party will kick off at noon each day with live entertainment, two stages, over 125 vendor booths, more food than you can shake a stick at, and of course, lots of that famous SoBe sun. Pride is full of fun for the entire family, so bring the baby gays and gals so they don’t miss the Pridelines Youth District and Safe Zone, Lambda Living Lounge and many other family-friendly activities.
On Sunday, the final day of festivities, things will kick off at noon with the 11th Annual Pride Parade along Ocean Drive. After the parade, revelers will pack Lummus Park for an afternoon and evening of dancing and pride.
The “Opening Ceremonies” will be held at 2 p.m. with the excitement building throughout the afternoon until its time for the headliner to take the stage. Past performers have included Adam Lambert and Jordin Sparks from American Idol fame, 80s chanteuse Taylor Dayne and Grammy winner Thelma Houston.
Stick around after sunset for a spectacular fireworks display that will put the finishing touches on the week of nonstop events.
For more information, a full event schedule for the week, and to learn more about volunteer opportunities for Miami Beach Pride week, visit MiamiBeachPride.com.