LANCASTER – AV Pride is coming back to the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds this upcoming weekend!
Presented by Penny Lane and Raise a Child, the local event will take place from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. It will feature Lavender Graduation, indoor and outdoor vendors, a full day and evening of entertainment, and an After-Party Dance.
The event kicks off at 11 a.m. with the Valley’s first Lavender Graduation, featuring California Secretary of State Debra Bowen as the Commencement Speaker. Lavender Graduation marks a unique trend of graduation ceremonies, which celebrates students inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
The Lavender Graduation is sponsored by the Carrol and R. Rex Parris Family and honors the academic accomplishments and contributions of graduating middle school, high school, college, and graduate program students who stand with courage and dignity before their peers, parents, and school officials.
The AV Pride Festival will also include 80 non-profit organizations and commercial vendors; The Lounge, a food and beverage area sponsored by Planned Parenthood; and the “Fiat Street Team” display of vehicles from event sponsoring dealer Hunter Dodge of Lancaster. This year, merchandise and services can also be found in the Harley Davidson and Farm Bureau buildings.
Sponsored by the Antelope Valley Transit Authority, the Kids’ Zone is designed for diverse families to enjoy inclusive play and entertainment in a welcoming environment. Plans include a Magic Show by Rainbow Clown Rich Breault; balloon animals; glitter tattoos and face and hair painting; hula hoop and dance shows; coloring; and chess and active games. Children must remain supervised by their own adult family members.
Stage entertainment is presented by Wells Fargo Bank and is emceed all day by local sensation DJ Tish. She will introduce local entertainment and regional bands; Latin performers Yolanda Meza and Carlos Guzman; and Logo comedienne Gloria Bigelow.
Opening the evening stage presentations will be “Ugly Betty” star and “American Gaysian Sweetheart,” comic Alec Mapa. Grammy nominated Broadway star Ms. Frenchie Davis, a finalist from The Voice and American Idol, will close the show with her concert. The After-Party Dance will conclude festivities at 11:30 p.m.
Graduates participating in Lavender Graduation and OUTreach Center volunteers are admitted free after registration. Advanced tickets can be purchased for $5 from The OUTreach Center and at numerous locations throughout the Antelope Valley. Tickets are $8 at the gate. Parking is free until 1 p.m.
For more information, visit http://www.outreachcenterav.org/ or call 661-92-PRIDE.
For many pictures from last year’s event, visit our facebook page.
Alex says
What a disgrace to Lancaster and the AV and to all the sponsors….
Mom of 5 says
disgrace? the only “disgraceful” thing around here is you i’m afraid.
Matt K. says
It’s nice to see longtime Valley names like Carrol and R. Rex Parris, Rich Breault and Hunter Dodge behind this. When I was 17 and I came out to my family, the Valley was a very, very different place and — never in a million years — did I ever think I would see these names as sponsors of a pride event.
It’s nice to see the Antelope Valley finally joining the rest of Los Angeles County with regard to this issue.