Mid-South Pride will host the Memphis Pride Fest Weekend starting on Thursday, June 1st, and ending on Sunday, June 4th.
According to the organization, this event “honors the diverse LGBTQ+ community and its allies, offering a unique experience that transcends traditional boundaries and fosters unity through a variety of engaging activities and inspiring performances.”
“Mid-South Pride will not back down when any part of our community is attacked. We will always support drag entertainment and those who choose it as a freedom of expression,” said Vanessa Rodley, president of Mid-South Pride.
The weekend will start off with a “Drag N Drive” event at the Malco Summer Drive-In located at 5310 Summer Avenue. There will be a showing of the movie Legally Blonde at 8 p.m., with a drag show starting at 10 p.m. According to Mid-South Pride, this is a “fun family-friendly event that sells out every year.” Tickets are $35 and can be purchased here.
On Friday, June 2nd, there will be a “Big Gay Dance Party,” hosted by Friends For Life at the New Daisy Theatre located on 330 Beale Street. The theme for this year’s party is “Hate is a Drag,” which the organization said celebrates gender nonconformity and self-expression. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite celebrity or in their best decade-inspired attire. Cross-dressing is also encouraged.
The Memphis Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, June 3rd, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be live entertainment, more than 150 vendors, a food truck, a car show, and a kids’ area, along with “free and discreet HIV screenings.” There will also be a Pride Parade from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m starting at Robert Church Park.
Live entertainment will feature prominent Memphis performers like the Moth Moth Moth, Aubrey Ombre, and Devon Davenport, as well as performances by RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants Kameron Michaels and Lady Camden.
There will also be a Pride Night at 901FC on Saturday, June 3rd, at 7:30 p.m., as well as the official 2023 Memphis Pride Fest after-party, Bacchus, at the New Daisy Theatre, starting at 8:00 p.m.
The weekend will end with a Grand Marshal Drag Brunch on Sunday, June 4th. The location has yet to be announced; however, it will start at 11 a.m.
Find more information on the Memphis Pride Fest Weekend and purchase tickets to the various events here.