Arts & Entertainment
Second Pride Celebration is taking place in Arlington on Saturday
Pride Celebration event aims to honor the LGBTQ+ community and its allies in Arlington and is scheduled for Saturday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Arlington - Welcoming the fresh energies of June, the Arlington HELP Center for LGBT Health & Wellness is preparing to host its second Pride Celebration. This event aims to honor the LGBTQ+ community and its allies in Arlington and is scheduled for Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the prestigious Levitt Pavilion.
The CEO of the HELP Center, DeeJay Johannessen, shared that the renowned Frank Kent Cadillac of Arlington dealership will proudly sponsor this important occasion. The evening promises an array of entertainment for attendees, including special appearances from "RuPaul's Drag Race" celebrities like the Season 13 winner, Symone, and popular contestants Angeria Paris VanMicheals and Kennedy Davenport. In addition, the festivities will feature performances from local drag queens and live music.
Johannessen has confirmed that the schedule of performances will be released on the event day itself. To ensure enjoyment for all, the celebration will also provide a family-friendly atmosphere complete with fun games, face painting, and an array of activities suitable for every age group.
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A variety of vendors will be present to satisfy diverse preferences, offering a broad range of food, accessories, artwork, and Pride-related merchandise. Notably, local nonprofit organizations that provide essential community support will also be part of the event.
Despite being open to everyone, Johannessen explained that entry to the event would require tickets, which are available through the official Arlington Pride website. The site also offers a comprehensive parking map to guide attendees, showcasing both free and paid parking options.
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Reflecting on the success of last year's Pride Celebration, Johannessen reminisced about the impressive turnout of 1,000 attendees, greatly exceeding the expected 300. For this year's celebration, due to overwhelming community backing and the expected influx of visitors from various cities and states, he forecasts a crowd count to surge to an impressive total of 4,000.
“We were excited to see last year that the support for a Pride event in Arlington exceeded even our own expectations,” Johannessen said. “That’s what led to this getting bigger.”
Content credit: Dallas Metro News, Arlington Pride, Arlington HELP Center