Southwest Florida continues to show growing support for the LGBTQ community as Cape Coral celebrates its first Pride event this year. This inaugural event comes just two years after the first Naples Pride celebration.
This inaugural event comes just two years after the first Naples Pride celebration, which attracted about 5,000 people and included entertainment and vendors. Pride-SWFL, however, will celebrate its 10th anniversary celebration in Fort Myers this year.
Cape Coral Pride will be the first to include a Parade. It will also feature entertainment by local and national performers, food trucks, beer tents and vendors.
The two-day event kicks off at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6, as the food trucks, beer tents and Vendor Village open on SE 47th Terrace. The Pride Parade will begin at 5:30 pm and takes place on SE 47th Terrace, from SE 15th Ave to SE 8th Court. It will be led by Grand Marshall Sonique.
Best known for competing on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Sonique is a nationally-known drag queen, dancer and transgender activist. Most recently she appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular and was a backup dancer for Christina Aguilera at LA Pride.
Following the parade, there will be live entertainment on the Big Stage and vendors, food trucks and beer tents will be open until 10 p.m. Among the entertainers are Drag Queen Daye Nada and two former performers on The Voice. Sheena Brook, a Southwest Florida native who was picked by Adam Levine on season 12 of The Voice, and Madison, who appeared on Season 15.
Madison’s band, American Beauty, has played venues across California and Nashville, as well as in Tokyo. Her subsequent band, Madison Avenue, played the 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after show. And her single, “Dirt,” hit number 14 on Sirius/XM’s 20 on 20.
The following day, Sunday Brunch in the Street is planned with local food vendors and entertainment.
The Pride Parade and entertainment is free to attend.
Cape Coral’s inaugural Pride celebration was organized by South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Associations with help from PRIDE SWFL.
For more information about Cape Pride, visit the South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association’s website at southcapeentertainment.com.