Naples Pride: Lots of Firsts

Mostly words first, then photo dump to finish.

I had a really good time on Saturday at Naples Pride, my first time going. I was meeting up with half a dozen people I know*, and we were in line before the gates opened (metaphorically speaking).
*I drove separately because I had a slight headache that morning, and didn't want to spoil someone else's day if I had to leave early. Didn't end up having to, though I did pop another pill during the drag show, as it was loud and had lots of flashy lights. 

Since I showed the clear bag I bought in a previous post, I want to mention that when I got to the man doing bag checks, he held it up, turned it around, and said, "I like this one, I don't even have to open it!" Which was the point of it, so yay me.

There were a lot of booths from various companies and organizations, including a couple of political candidates whose names I noted, and naturally many of the booths had not just giveaways, but rainbow ones. I picked up all sorts of stuff:

And as it was a hot day, I also bought this fan, for a whole $5, which was a life-saver; the park has a lot of trees, so the shade also helped, but the breeze was not as constant as I wanted it to be, so I made my own.

It's pretty sturdy, too, not a one-use item at all.

At one point, some of my friends and I were stopped by a reporter for the local paper, and she asked us a few questions; I didn't exactly feel prepared to articulate my thoughts, but I tried. Not sure when the last time was that I was quoted in a newspaper (if ever?), but this is a good one to have.

And it also answered a question I had had: apparently they moved it from June to April for the weather. It's true that June is mighty hot around here, but the weather on Saturday was plenty warm, too.

(The article ended by talking to "the protester" outside the event---yes, there was just one! He told the paper he felt 'threatened' by the attendees; personally, I feel threatened that he felt he had to be armed to protest. I'm glad I didn't notice that at the time, but I was pointedly looking away as I walked by him on the way out.)

So, fun! Rainbows! Happiness! Empanadas and shave ice! A few general photos:

Annnndddd the drag show! A lot of my pictures came out blurry, but oh well. There's really no conveying the experience through stills anyway.

This guy (and yes, he was introduced as "Mister" so 'guy' is right) had the most amazing light show; the part of his outfit around his waist lit and flashed, and he also had green pointer lights on his hat and wristbands, I think it was. A lot going on!

More than one performer had a costume reveal.

I believe this performer is the one who was introduced as being from Vegas, and, well...

I guess that's where she got those, then. My back hurt just looking at her move.

Just when I was wondering where the other colors of the rainbow were...

There they are!

I think this was my first time going to a drag show; at least, you would think I would remember, right? It was fun, very entertaining, and on a practical note, sitting down for an hour in the air conditioning was a very nice break! But of course the show was fun aside from that. I would go again.

And I would go to Pride again! Both for the serious, "being there as an ally to support people who are so often being treated like less-than in this country," and for the fun of going out and seeing all the rainbows and happiness. We have to find it where we can.