Providence Pride :: 2008 Weekend in Review
This year's Rhode Island Pride celebration drew a huge crowd for a day of unity and entertainment. Thousands of spectators gathered on the sidewalks of downtown Providence, many spilling out into the streets to cheer on the various floats and marching groups as the 32nd annual event wrapped.
The Illuminated Nighttime Parade featured popular drag queen (and Pride emcee) Miss Kitty Litter and members of Beneficent Congregational Church as Parade Grand Marshals.
Members of Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI) were among the organizations who marched, along with PFLAG, SeaQuel, Youth Pride Inc., and Boston Pride.
There were many colorful club floats, featuring the shirtless dancers of Trixx@XL, AlleyCat/Dark Lady, and Club Gallery, who tossed trinkets and candies to onlookers.
The celebration's theme, Many Faces, One Voice, represented the diversity of Rhode Island's GLBT community.
Over 130 vendors sent up tents at Burnside Park to sell their services and merchandise, ranging from jewelry and clothing to vacations and real estate.
In nearby Waterplace Park, members of Knitting Nation sewed a giant rainbow flag. The project was spearheaded by Rhode Island School of Design professor Liz Collins, who wanted to pay tribute to the symbol of gay liberation.
But above all, Pride was about having fun. Lots of fun.
1980s pop superstar Tiffany dazzled the crowd at the Bank of America Center with performances of her greatest hits, including "I Think We're Alone Now," "I Saw Him Standing There" and an a cappella version of "Coulda Been."
Other performers included hunky Greg Bonin, dance club artists Jenna Drey and Rachel Panay, all girl funk band Sister Funk, Jason Walker, Danielle Andrews, Chelsy Lau Band, Aden Mott, BellaMinx Burly Q, Heather Rose and the Drama, Mary Day Band, Tom Goss, the Imperial Court of Rhode Island, Divine Lee, Ariel Aparicio and the Hired Guns, Miss Jackie Collins, and Sabrina Blaze, who teamed up with Kitty Litter on a few songs.
Miss Gay RI Jacqueline DiMera and Haley Star also served as emcees on the festival stage.
The celebration continued into the wee hours of the evening, with several block parties at the clubs including Energy, Mirabar, the Dark Lady, Eagle, Wheels and Club Gallery.
On Sunday, there was a Hangover Pride Brunch at Downcity Diner and a Pride Block Party featuring AV8 and Dena.
Visit www.prideri.com for details.