Space Coast Pride (SCP) is thrilled to announce the return of the Space Coast Pride Parade and Pridefest, one of the largest festivals in Downtown Melbourne, on Saturday, September 28th.
This year’s Pridefest is set to be the biggest and brightest yet, featuring a full day of entertainment, community, and celebration.
The vibrant parade kicks off at 11 a.m. at The Melbourne Auditorium, featuring the 2nd Annual Trans March and over 50 colorful community groups including: Free Mom Hugs, Space Coast Sports League, SPEKTRUM Health, Surfside Players, Blue Origin, Cocoa Beach Community Church, NASA/Kennedy Space Center, Unitarian Universalist Friendship Fellowship, and PFLAG Melbourne Space Coast.
Following the parade, Pridefest will run from noon to 6 p.m. along East New Haven Avenue, featuring iconic award-winning LGBTQIA+ co-headliners:
🌈 The queen of trans soul and Baltimore legend Miss Kelli (Winner of Sylvester Heritage Award, Philadelphia’s Song Bird competition) known for her electrifying performances and dedication to the community.
🌈 Pop/soul sensation and American Idol’s Rayvon Owen (LA Music Awards Rising Star; Buzzfeed’s “37 Bands You Need To See”, first artist featured on Billboard Pride, Elvis Duran’s “Artist of the Month”) whose soulful voice has captured hearts nationwide.
Attendees can also enjoy performances by Alisabeth Von Presley (American Idol, American Song Contest), Billy Mick (Top 10 LGBTQ Music Chart), Glenn Stewart (Country Music Artist), Orlando Gay Chorus, Henegar Center For the Arts, and a host of fabulous drag queens and kings such as Bridgette Galore and Hank E. Pankey. The festival will also feature hundreds of local vendors, food and drink options, a DJ dance party featuring DJ RED and DJ Woofy, and a family-friendly Kid’s Zone with games, and cooling zones.
In addition to the main event, Space Coast Pride is hosting a series of exciting LGBTQIA+ events and fundraisers leading up to Pridefest, including a Happy Hour at Hotel Melby, an 80s Prom, Beach Day, Open Mic Night, Skate Night, Creativity Night, Sex Ed Trivia Night, followed by a post-Pride Drag Brunch.
SCP Pridefest Honorees and Special Guests:
🌈 Parade Grand Marshals: This year’s Parade Grand Marshals are Amy and MerryBeth Burgess, owners of Hello Again Books, a proudly LGBTQ+, women-owned bookstore in Cocoa Village. Their store embodies community, diversity, and creativity, and they’ve made it a mission to create a welcoming and safe space for all.
🌈 Youth Grand Marshal: Mary, the winner of Space Coast Pride’s Randall D. Kelly/Kelli Randell Memorial Scholarship, will lead the parade with passion and purpose. Majoring in criminology at Flagler College, Mary’s mission is to create a more inclusive and supportive world.
🌈 Lifetime Achievement Award: Bill McKay, a dedicated community organizer and former president of Space Coast Pride, will be honored for his lifelong advocacy for the most vulnerable in our community. He is also an active member of the Space Coast Progressive Alliance.
SCP Pridefest is proudly sponsored by: Over 20 local and national corporations, including:
🌈Diamond Sponsor: Hotel Melby
🌈Platinum Sponsors: Collins Aerospace, Intracoastal Brewing Company, Northrop Grumman
🌈Gold Sponsors: DefendBrevard.com, GE Vernova, Healthcare Unity Group, Leonardo DRS, Project Response, Watermark, and more.
🌈🌈🌈 Pride Pro-Tip: Arrive early! SCP encourages attendees to arrive early and consider carpooling or rideshares as the City of Melbourne will begin charging for parking after 12:00 pm.
Celebrate Pride on the Space Coast! Learn more, get involved, and plan your visit at www.spacecoastpride.org. Don’t forget to download the official app for real-time updates, a Pride guide, and a listing of local LGBTQIA+ businesses and resources.
About Space Coast Pride:
Space Coast Pride, originally known as The Living Room of Brevard, began in 2007 with a mission to create a safe, inclusive, and vibrant space for the LGBTQIA+ community in Brevard County. From a small picnic in the park, Space Coast Pride has grown into a historic Pridefest, with over 20,000 attendees in 2023 alone.
Space Coast Pride is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering a safe, inclusive environment for the LGBTQIA+ community in Brevard County. Through events like Pridefest and year-round programming, SCP strives to celebrate diversity, promote understanding, and build a strong, supportive community.
