Organizers excited to see event return after its cancellation during 2024 hurricane season
Leaders of the local LGBTQ+ advocacy nonprofit Project Pride SRQ are inviting the public “to the vibrant Rosemary District in downtown Sarasota for the Gulfcoast Pride Festival,” which will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The event is free, with all ages welcome, a news release points out.
Formerly known as Sarasota Pride, the festival “was rebranded last year as the celebration would encompass the former Manatee Pride event as well,” the release explains. “Unfortunately, last year’s event was canceled” because of Hurricane Milton’s strike on Sarasota County, the release adds. “[O]rganizers are thrilled to bring the event to completion this year,” the release says.
The festival will feature a street fair comprising more than 100 local vendor booths; a drag show headlined by Pork Chop (from RuPaul’s Drag Race); “delicious food from some of Sarasota’s finest restaurants,” which will be available for purchase”; a children’ zone with age-appropriate activities; a pet zone and pet pageant; an art zone; a cool-down zone; and special guests and performances, “including DJ Brianna Lee, The Harvest Band, and Merge Eleven, the release continues. The musical headliner will be Zee Machine, who is expected to perform at approximately 4:25 p.m., the release notes.
“New Project Pride SRQ Executive Director Tom Edwards will be available for conversation at the nonprofit’s booth during the street fair,” the release adds, noting that “he looks forward to meeting and speaking with members of the community about the organization’s expanded focus. Edwards plans to build upon the strong foundation of the nonprofit to build coalitions that foster inclusivity and stand against the elimination of human rights for any element of the population.”
Further, the release explains, “Zee Machine (aka Joe Bissell) is an LA-based pop/rock/electronic singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. After a handful of singles, he released a seven-song EP ‘Can I Be Honest…? last year. He has been featured in People magazine, SPIN and other prominent outlets.”
“While most people know that Pride Month takes place in June, they may not realize that LGBT History Month is recognized in October,” said Project Pride SRQ President Justyn Hunter-Ceruti in the release. “This provides the perfect opportunity for us to be visible and welcoming and to showcase the many positive aspects of our Sarasota-Manatee region as an inclusive community, with partners and allies who appreciate the diversity of its citizens,” Hunter-Ceruti continued in the release. “We invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable day of love, laughter and community!”
The release also notes, “Project Pride SRQ is grateful to Presenting Sponsor Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) for its support of this year’s event.”
“Gulf Coast Community Foundation is proud to support Gulfcoast Pride, the largest Pride festival in our region,” said Gulf Coast President and CEO Phillip Lanham in the release. “Our commitment to fostering vibrant, inclusive communities drives us to celebrate our region’s rich diversity,” he added. “We look forward to joining the festivities this fall and celebrating the many voices that make our community remarkable.”
This free, family-friendly event is open to all, the release emphasizes; sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit ppsrq.org for more information.