Story by Ed Salvato; image courtesy of Miami Beach Gay Pride; above Nadadores Swimming Team at the 2009 Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade on Ocean Drive
The City of Miami Beach, one of the official sponsors of the Second Annual Miami Beach Gay Pride, says its so proud of its LGBT residents and visitors that it needs an extra hour each day to proclaim it. This is the message behind "Miami Beach Proud 25/7," the theme of this year's Pride celebration, taking place this Saturday, April 17 from 12 noon to 8PM.
It's a tad last minute though there are a few inexpensive seats left on JetBlue (though this gets you to Ft. Lauderdale). If you check Kayak.com, a meta-search tool that summarizes flights from a wide range of other travel search engines, you'll find some good last-minute rates, too, from New York and other departure cities to Miami directly.
It's small but backed with fun events as well as celebrities, drag stars, openly gay war heroes, and more. If you're just dying to kick off Pride season early this year, this is a great way to do it. Miami holds its Pride in the spring to avoid the possibility of hot and humid weather in June, the traditional month for such events.
Pride attendees can register for a grand-prize drawing for two round-trip airfares, courtesy of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and -- as a special lure for New Yorkers or travelers visiting the Big Apple for its Pride -- two VIP tickets to New York Pride's Dance on the Pier, Sunday, June 27, courtesy of the City of Miami Beach. (For more information about New York Pride, check out our recent posting.)
If it's too late for you this year, next year's event takes place April 16, 2011.
Photo: 2009 Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade on Ocean Drive.
