‘The City of West Hollywood has announced the schedule for WeHo Pride 2024, a month-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, starting on May 22 and continuing through June 30.
“WeHo Pride 2024 will be nothing short of fabulous, with something for everyone under the rainbow,” said Mayor John M. Erickson. The city is set to host a variety of events, including the 2nd annual José Julio Sarria Drag Pageant on Harvey Milk Day, marking the start of WeHo Pride on May 22.
The highlight of the celebration, WeHo Pride Weekend, is scheduled from May 31 to June 2, 2024, centered around West Hollywood Park at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard. This weekend is packed with events such as Friday Night at OUTLOUD, the WeHo Pride Street Fair, the Women’s Freedom Festival, the Dyke March, the WeHo Pride Parade, and the ticketed OUTLOUD @ WeHo Pride music festival.
The WeHo Pride Street Fair, a significant attraction of the weekend, will be held on June 1 and 2. This fair is set to feature a diverse range of exhibitors and live entertainment, showcasing the vibrancy of the LGBTQ+ community. It is open to everyone and promises to be a family-friendly event. Those interested in participating as an exhibitor at the WeHo Pride Street Fair can apply through the application link provided on the official WeHo Pride website, with the deadline set for April 16, 2024. Food vendors interested in participating can contact [email protected] for more details.
The WeHo Pride Parade, scheduled for June 2, is expected to be a vibrant display along Santa Monica Boulevard. Featuring music, dancing, colorful floats, and festive marching contingents, the parade symbolizes LGBTQ+ representation, inclusion, and progress. Organizations and individuals eager to participate in the parade can submit their applications by April 15, 2023. Creative and unique entries are encouraged, and more information on application procedures can be found on the WeHo Pride website.
In addition to the weekend events, the WeHo Pride Arts Festival is set to take place from June 14 to 16, 2024. This festival, previously known as the One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival, will exhibit an extensive range of LGBTQ+ dance, visual art, performance, and literary arts across various city locations.
Community groups are invited to be a part of WeHo Pride 2024. The city offers a process for these groups to request funding for independent Pride events under the WeHo Pride brand. The application deadline for these events is February 29, 2024, and the application form is available on the WeHo Pride website.
The City of West Hollywood, with a strong history of LGBTQ advocacy and a significant LGBTQ population, has been a pioneer in hosting Pride events since 1979. The city’s commitment to equality and representation is evident in its various initiatives, including the formation of a Lesbian & Gay Advisory Board (now LGBTQ+ Commission) and a Transgender Advisory Board.
For more information about WeHo Pride 2024, including details about the WeHo Pride Arts Festival and OUTLOUD @ WeHo Pride, please visit the official website at www.wehopride.com. Applications for community groups, exhibitors, and parade participants, as well as information on vendor opportunities, are available on the website. Follow @wehopride on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates. For additional details or media inquiries, contact the City of West Hollywood’s Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at [email protected].
I’m betting the entertainment nowadays won’t be of the caliber of past years, when talent like Olivia Newton-John, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, Teri Nunn, and the like rocked the baseball field in WeHo Park. Maybe Pat Benatar can headline this year instead of generic “entertainers” with face tatts, pink hair, and light talent?
Grace Jones was excellent last year. But at the same time, it’s not the 80’s anymore. Evolve and progress, always.
Pat Benatar would be a fantastic choice.