Tomorrow marks the thirteenth annual Savannah Pride Festival. The celebration starts at 11 a.m. in Forsyth Park and continues at Club One for the official after party. And as always, it’s a favorite way to kiss summer goodbye before classes start. So no matter your sexual orientation or identity, stop by and see what Pride is all about.
“The main thing is that our pride basically celebrates the diversity of the city. We are very inclusive as far as the community as a whole, we don’t sequester ourselves away,” said Mark Hill, executive director of Savannah Pride. “We are right out front. We invite everybody. It’s one of those days where everyone can be what their state of being is, you know?”
For those of you who went last year, Jojo was the mainliner of the event. This year, local band Cusses is taking the stage. And Pride is pointless without a drag show.
“There is such a broad range [of performers]. We try to focus on the demographic. During the day, it’s like a community picnic. Older people in the gay community that don’t go out, they come during the early afternoon so the music is a little bit softer. And then we bump it up,” said Hill. “Cusses are our mainliner, they are just phenomenal, very sweet people and extremely talented. They were with us last year and our board decided unanimously to bring them back.”
Roxxxy Andrews who finished third in season five of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is also set to perform. But entertainment aside, an special accolade is also schedule to be given out. Mayor Edna Jackson, who last year received the Spirit of Pride award, will be passing the honor down to Pam Miller, a local activist who has “done more things than I can list for the community,” said Hill.
Consider yourselves warned. Pride is tomorrow and you better know what you are wearing. So show up at the park looking fabulous and come support the LGBT community of Savannah.
“We just want to say thank you to everybody,” said Hill. “Thank you for the support.”
