HOOD RIVER CELEBRATES ITS LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY THIS JUNE WITH INCLUSIVE AND WELCOMING PRIDE EVENTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2023
Contact:
Ashley Huckaby, DVA Advertising & PR, 503-819-4532, ashley@dvaadv.com
Katie Kadlub, Visit Hood River, 208-867-0498, katie@visithoodriver.com
HOOD RIVER CELEBRATES ITS LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY THIS JUNE WITH INCLUSIVE AND WELCOMING PRIDE EVENTS
Pride Events Kick-off with the Visit Hood River First Friday Summer Series Pride Celebration June 2
(HOOD RIVER, Ore.) — Beyond the picturesque scenery and abundant outdoor recreation, Hood River is a place that celebrates the diverse beauty of its residents and visitors. It is a community that believes in the right to live and travel freely, just as you are. In partnership with the Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance, The Next Door, and the Hood River Hotel, Visit Hood River will celebrate these rights and the LGBTQIA+ community and visitors June 2-3 with a lineup of inclusive and welcoming events at the inaugural Hood River Pride Celebration.
“Hood River is an incredible place to live and work, and the City is committed to the inclusion and celebration of its valued yet underrepresented community members,” says Hood River Mayor Paul Blackburn. “LGBTQIA+ youth and families need to know they belong in Hood River, and we are honored to support the celebration’s commitment to inclusivity.”
The celebration will consist of pride-themed events held in downtown Hood River on Friday and Saturday, June 2-3, with a lineup that includes the following:
FRIDAY, JUNE 2:
5-8 p.m. – Visit Hood River First Friday Summer Series Pride Celebration; Held on Oak St. in downtown Hood River, the family-friendly event is free, open to the public, and will include a parade, local vendors, and live music from Ashley Flynn at 6:30 p.m. For more information and parade registration, visit the Visit Hood River website, www.visithoodriver.com.
7-9 p.m. – “Tease: Burlesque Revue”; Join the Hood River Hotel for this debut, a show that is equally revealing and exciting. Featuring Zora Von Pavonie, Abby Go Lucky, Jaxin Ryan, Sandria Dior, and Romeo Bedwell, this drag revenue is not to be missed! This is a 21+ ticketed event; tickets are available on the Hood River Hotel website, https://hoodriverhotel.com/experiences/#!/.
10 p.m. – Midnight – Pride Dance Party; Celebrate the weekend in the Hood River Hotel Emerald Room, where Mr. Elive will mix tunes to enjoy. This is a 21+ ticketed event; tickets are available on the Hood River Hotel website, https://hoodriverhotel.com/experiences/#!/.
SATURDAY, JUNE 3:
Doors open at 11 a.m., show starts at Noon – Diva Drag Brunch, Featuring an ALL-STAR cast and the best performers that Portland (and beyond) has to offer. Join the Hood River Hotel for the biggest and best Drag Brunch in the Pacific Northwest. Featuring drag, burlesque, acrobatics, live singing, and more! This is a 21+ ticketed event; tickets are available on the Hood River Hotel website, https://hoodriverhotel.com/experiences/#!/.
6-6:30 p.m. – Drag Storytime by the fireplace with Lylac; Bring the family to the Hood River Hotel lobby and enjoy story time with Lylac, a performer at the Diva Drag Brunch. Lilac will read children’s books picked especially for the event by the Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance. This is a free all-ages event.
6-9 p.m. – Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance Youth Ball; Enjoy activities in the Hood River Hotel Emerald Room for all ages. All ages are welcome to celebrate pride with various activities, including karaoke, art activities, food and drinks, a bunkhouse chill room, and music. This is a free all-ages event.
“While there is no expectation that all community members participate in the celebratory events, we do ask and expect attendees to respect the work and programs the Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance strives to provide to Hood River residents, youth, allies, businesses, and visitors,” said Katie Kadlub, CEO at Visit Hood River. “This celebration is rooted in encouragement, positivity, and acceptance, free from negativity, anger, or hate.”
Local businesses and organizations, including Visit Hood River, the Hood River Hotel, and The Next Door, are committed sponsors and committee members for the Pride Celebration. All proceeds from the events will continue to advance the goals and programs of the Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance.
The Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance is a group of volunteers, organizations, and businesses that work to create a city where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual plus people thrive as healthy and equal members of society. It strives and advocates for respect, equity, and justice and to build a safe, peaceful, and culturally rich community for LGBTQIA+ people and allies.
For more information on the Hood River Pride Celebration, ways to contribute, and the Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance, visit the organization’s website https://nextdoorinc.org/cgpa/.
For more information on Visit Hood River and Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, visit www.visithoodriver.com.
About the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce dba Visit Hood River:
The Hood River County Chamber of Commerce dba Visit Hood River is a nonprofit business association serving our tourism and Business Stakeholders. Located at the crossroads of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the magnificent Cascade Range and just an hour from Portland, Hood River is truly breathtaking, offering outdoor recreation, dramatic vistas, historic landmarks, bountiful fruit, and fantastic food, wine, beer, and cider. With accommodations ranging from luxury hotels to historic B&Bs, Hood River is a four-season destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, weddings, corporate events, and more. It was named the West’s best “Nature Lover’s Destination” in the 2021 Sunset Travel Awards, a “Top 10 Best Small Town Beer Scene” in the 2021 USA Today 10Best Readers Choice Awards, a Top 10 Wine Destination for 2017 by Wine Enthusiast, and 2015 “Best Adventure Town” in the West by Sunset magazine. Visit Hood River supports economic development, community development, and destination marketing for Hood River, Cascade Locks, Mosier, Odell, Parkdale, Pine Grove, and Mt. Hood. For more information, call 800-366-3530 or visit www.visithoodriver.com.
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