Crowds will descend on New Orleans this weekend for the city’s biggest Pride month celebrations.
WDSU found out what you need to know about the festivities.
Cultural production company Lynx Noir is hosting the NOLA Pride Mega Rave at the Metropolitan Friday night. It is a ticketed event that kicks off at 9:30 p.m., and it is benefiting a local advocacy group.
“We’re expecting a couple hundred people in attendance for tonight’s event,” said Joshua Hecht, with Lynx Noir. “A portion of all those ticket proceeds directly benefit Project Lazarus in partnership with Halloween New Orleans.”
On Saturday, the New Orleans Pride Parade is kicking off at North Rampart and Toulouse Streets at 6 p.m. It will disband at Bourbon and Dumaine.
“We are anticipating a giant crowd this year; we have over 1500 participants in the parade itself, and much more for the crowd,” organizer Benny Bigelow said.
Le Cabaret sits along the parade route, and its owners say the parade is their biggest day of the year.
“We’re anticipating a huge crowd,” Craig Theis said. “We’re excited about that, and we’re excited about the support that we have from New Orleans and our community for Pride.”
They also shared some advice for parade-goers.
“It’s wall to wall, even Rampart. Getting up and down the parade route, it is hard, so get here early for sure,” Gregory Theis said.
New Orleans Pridefest is also happening Saturday. It will start at 5 p.m. in the Robert Fresh Market parking lot in Marigny.
“It is very family-friendly; everybody is welcome. From allies to bring the kids. Who doesn’t like seeing something shiny and sparkly and fun? There’s tons of entertainment, food,” organizer Monique Michaels-Alexander said.
All of the festivities are giving the queer community in New Orleans a place to celebrate their pride.
“Just having the opportunity to live out loud and be queer and be supported by people right here in our very own hometown, as well as the people traveling in to celebrate with us,” Pridefest organizer Lexis Redd D’Ville said.
The parade is taking a few detours this year due to ongoing construction projects in the French Quarter. WDSU asked city leaders whether there were concerns the construction would impact events like Pride and the upcoming Essence Festival.
“We do not anticipate construction significantly impacting Pride Fest or Essence Festival,” Isis Casanova, Director of Communications for Mayor Helena Moreno and the City of New Orleans, said. “These events are an important part of our city’s identity, and we are working closely with partners to ensure residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the full cultural experience. At the same time, we recognize the construction is creating challenges and we encourage attendees to support the impacted businesses that help make the French Quarter and cultural experiences so special.”
READ MORE:What you need to know about Pride celebrations in New Orleans
