Naples, Florida welcomes people from all walks of life; which is why Naples is one in celebrating the Naples Pride Festival. It’s a celebration of oneness and joy amongst the LGBT community. However, this event is not only for people who are within the LGBT spectrum, the Naples Pride Festival is a gathering of all sorts of people who are in solidarity with giving fair treatment to people no matter their gender preference. For a long time, people had been wanting to make a Pride event happen in Southwest Florida and in 2017, the dream came true as Naples seen its very first Pride Festival.
Rainbow flags of different sizes and confetti are all abound during the celebration. The rainbow colors had since been a symbol of support for people who do not necessarily fit in traditional sexual orientations. And people from a wide array of sexual orientation gather around to express their love for their partners, the other people in attendance and to the LGBT movement as a whole.
The event always has people walking in cheer and in solidarity for the LGBT cause, with big smiles on their faces, marching forward to a hopeful future. Then, the crowd gathers in an open park for some food and drinks from the nearby stalls so nobody gets dehydrated or hungry with everything that’s going on. There are also live bands and guest speakers who will enlighten people who are unfamiliar to the cause and strengthen those who have been in it for the longest time. There are choirs and dancers and many other festive activities people from all over can enjoy.
There are lots of entertainments on stage too after the parade, with comedians and drag queens dancing on stage. As mentioned, the Pride Parade is a celebration for everyone so even children can join as long as they’re accompanied by parents or guardians. In the first-ever Pride Parade in Naples, Florida there was somebody who brought a pony in the event to the delight of the children and the photographers.
One of the main highlights of the celebration was to commemorate the events of Stonewall in 1969 where people from the gay community stood up for their rights and was marked as the beginning of LGBT liberation in the US.
These events are free of charge but the organizers raise funds through non-profit efforts and donations from good souls. The finances gathered shall be used to help LGBT members in need, especially those who suffer discrimination from other people such as being forcibly evicted from their apartments upon the owner’s knowledge that they are gay. It can also be used to support members of the LGBT who are in need of medical assistance.
The Naples Pride Parade is a fun event for everyone. For more events like these, check out our Tourist Guide section and browse through the numerous events and places that you may want to add in your travel itinerary. Alternatively, you may call us and visit our office in 4th Ave. South of downtown Naples for a close consultation.
