Key West
PrideFest 2007 To Celebrate 'The End of the Rainbow' June 2-10

May 3, 2007

Florida Keys – Long renowned as a favorite gay and lesbian vacation destination, Key West salutes diversity with PrideFest 2007, scheduled for Saturday, June 2, through Sunday, June 10.

Organized by the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Key West, PrideFest offers an opportunity for residents and visitors to celebrate the freedom and openness of the island city. The festival, which incorporates more than 15 events, is themed "The End of the Rainbow" in recognition of Key West's atmosphere of acceptance and geographical location at the southernmost tip of the continental United States.

Events begin with a kickoff party scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, June 2, in the Crystal Room at La Te Da, 1125 Duval St.

House tours are to follow at noon Sunday, providing an insider's look at some of the most appealing homes and gardens in Key West. Tropical chic, island style and décor, and lushly landscaped gardens await tour participants – as does a warm welcome from community members.

Among the PrideFest schedule highlights are contests for the festival's male, female and drag queen "royalty." The Mr. PrideFest contest, billed as the gay man's answer to Mr. Universe, is set for 8 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at the Bourbon St. Pub, 724 Duval St. The Ms. PrideFest title is to be awarded at a 9 p.m. event Tuesday, June 5, at Aqua, 711 Duval St.; while the southernmost drag beauty pageant – otherwise known as the battle for the Miss PrideFest crown -- is to begin at 9 p.m. Wednesday at La Te Da's Crystal Room.

PrideFest attendees can applaud extraordinary local talent at the annual Pride Follies, to be staged at the Tennessee Williams Theatre, 5901 W. College Road on the campus of Florida Keys Community College. Scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday, June 7, the Follies offer glittering entertainment, elaborate sets and a variety of surprises.

Crowds are to flock to Key West's legendary Duval Street Friday and Saturday, June 8 and 9, for the PrideFest Street Fair. Staged in the 700 and 800 blocks, the street fair traditionally includes live entertainment, arts, crafts, food and more.

The culmination of Key West's PrideFest 2007 is the "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" Pride Parade down Duval Street, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 9. Everyone is invited to join the march – whether gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight or transgendered – in recognition of Key West's enthusiastic diversity.The final event is a farewell tea dance on June 10 at 3 p.m. at La Te Da.

For a complete schedule of PrideFest 2007 events, visit www.pridefestkeywest.com or www.glcckeywest.org, or call the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Key West at (305) 292-3223.

For information about accommodations in Key West, visit www.gaykeywestfl.com or www.fla-keys.com.

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