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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Organizers are working with the NOPD, LSP, OPSO, the Department of Homeland Security and the Fire Marshal to ensure everyone is safe at all events this weekend as the New Orleans Pride Festival kicks off. There will be 18 events starting tonight and running through Sunday.

The theme for this year is “Love Always Wins.”

50,000 plus people are expected to come out. 1,500 are expected to participate in the Louisiana’s Largest LGBTQA Parade beginning at 7:30 p.m.

There will also be an Orlando Memorial Float to lead the parade.

A schedule of events is below:

Friday, June 17

  • An Evening with Bianca Del Rio – The Joy Theater – 8PM
    Powered by SCRUFF with Johnny Scruff, Darienne Lake, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Aggy Dune, Cherry Brown, Chris Harder and more.
    Tickets: at the door or TheJoyTheater.com
  • Rock and Vogue – One Eyed Jacks – 10PM
  • An Evening with Bianca After Party – The Four Seasons – 11pm
    with Kasha Davis, Aggy Dune, Darienne Lake
  • Pride Dance Party – Oz New Orleans 11PM
    Powered by SCRUFF with DJ Grind
  • Jon Pitcher & Nigel March Dancing – The Bourbon Pub 11pm
  • Meet & Greet with Rocco Steele – The Phoenix

Saturday, June 18

  • Pride Block Party/ Pre-Parade Bash – The Phoenix 3pm-7pm
  • Celebrity Grand Marshal Party – Napoleons Itch 3pm-5pm
  • Toast our Grand Marshals and Celebrities before the parade (4pm)
  • Official Pride Party: A Girl Party – The Bourbon Pub 4pm-8pm
  •  Orlando Tragedy Memorial – 6:45 PM 941 Elysian Fields
  • Louisiana’s Largest LGBTQA Parade: The New Orleans Pride Parade – 7:30PM
  • Dance Party with DJ Kidd Madonny – The Bourbon Pub 10PM
  • Dance Party with DJ Tracy Young – Oz New Orleans – 10PM
    Performances by Chris Harder, Nigel March and Jon Pitcher
  • The Lords of Leather’s Who’s Your Daddy Contest with Rocco Steele – The Phoenix – 10PM

Sunday, June 19

  • Pridefest 2016 – 800 block of Bourbon St – 2pm-5pm
    with Debby Holiday, Jai Rodriguez, The Nawlins Johnnys, and many local drag and live performances: Hosted by Billy Francesca and Persana Shoulders
  • Pride T-Dance hosted by Billy Francesca – The Bourbon Pub – 5pm
    with DJ Whitney Day
  •  Pride Lipstixx Show – The Bourbon Pub 8pm
  • Pride Edition: The Ladies of OZ – Oz New Orleans 9PM

Friday, June 24

  • Harrah’s Casino Presents: Upstairs Inferno – Free Screening – 8pm (Details Below)