The annual tradition of bright rainbows parading through the most prominent historic LGBTQIA+ community in Jacksonville returns this weekend.<\/p>\n
The Jax River City Pride Festival and Parade will be celebrated on Saturday and Sunday in the Riverside neighborhood.<\/p>\n
The festival from 12-6 p.m. on Saturday at Riverside Park in 5 Points will include local artists, nonprofits, sponsors and food vendors, along with a family zone.<\/p>\n
Festival entertainment from 1-8 p.m. includes vocalists, dance groups, bands and local talent — rain or shine.<\/p>\n
As the sun sets on Saturday, the energy turns up with show-stopping performances at the traditional Cabaret Show from national headliners, including music artists and stars from RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race, Dragula, and beyond.<\/p>\n
The celebration draws around 10,000 visitors each year, with thousands lining the parade route on Sunday to support the local LGBTQIA+ community.<\/p>\n
The parade will step off at 2 p.m. from Willowbranch Park, where Jacksonville\u2019s first Pride picnic took place in 1978.<\/p>\n
From Park and Cherry streets, the river of rainbows will weave down Park Street, then King Street, Post Stree, Stockton Street, back to Park, then Post and ending on Margaret Street at Riverside Park.<\/p>\n