Last weekend, the Outer Banks of North Carolina sparkled with every color of the rainbow at the Eighth Annual Outer Banks PrideFest, a three-day festival that took place September 21-23 to celebrate the barrier island’s diverse LGBTQ community.
Kicking off the festival was a sunset cruise on Friday evening that has the feeling of camaraderie akin to a family or school reunion as attendees from past Pride celebrations get reacquainted and to make new friends.
Following the sunset cruise was the “Pride & Joy Drag Show” featuring DJ Amy Alderman, with performers Jamie Monroe, Jennifer Warner, Chance Thomas, Cliff Warner, Spikey Van Dykey and Hershae Chocolatae.
Saturday’s Pride festival was held in Nags Head at the Soundside Event Site and featured a full day of live bands and was hosted by Hampton Roads’ own Jennifer Warner. In addition to the entertainment, the festival featured standard Pride fare vendors – food trucks, souvenir and craft vendors and advocacy/non-profit groups. This venue is large and easily accessible, giving OBX Pride organizers ample room to grow and add features to the event in future years.
OBX Pridefest’s featured performer was comedienne Judy Gold, who did not disappoint the fans that packed Pamlico Jack’s Saturday night to see her set. No one was spared from Gold’s intelligent, acerbic wit, including a few members of the audience. Following the show, Gold graciously posed for photos and spoke with fans, many of whom stayed for the after hours dance party.
On Sunday, many attendees slept off the night before on the beaches of the OBX. However, many kept on celebrating their pride at a drag brunch held in Manteo and hosted by Jennifer Warner.
Interested in attending next year’s OBX Pridefest? Check out their website HERE to stay up to date.
Richmond also hosted Virginia PrideFest on Brown’s Island this past weekend. Did you head to RVA this past weekend? Check out coverage from our friends at GayRVA HERE:
