The first set of two Houston Pride festivals and parades this year will be held on Saturday – Houston Public Media

Downtown Houston is gearing up for a double dose of Pride celebrations.

Tens of thousands of Houston-area residents are expected to gather Saturday for the inaugural parade and festival hosted by Houston’s New Faces of Pride, a new nonprofit organization that advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. A similar festival and parade hosted by Pride Houston 365, a longtime local group that has been hosting its Pride events for decades, is planned for Saturday, June 29.

Will the first event drive potential participants away from the second? Could it be considered a preview or a first part? Perhaps this will just mark the start of a week-long celebration for LGBTQ+ residents and their allies.

“The beauty of Pride festivities in Houston is that they usually attract a lot of people,” said Susan Christian, director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. “I doubt it will be as big as the ones that have been happening for decades, but more than likely there will be a good number of spectators. Houstonians love outdoor events, and the month of pride has always been enjoyable to a large audience.

“I’m sure they’ll both be fabulous,” Christian added.

It remains to be seen whether being first on the schedule will prove advantageous, according to Andrea Simonton, communications director for Houston’s New Faces of Pride. But she said the organization was happy to be first and was “very excited” about this weekend’s slate of events.

Pride Houston President Kendra Walker did not respond Thursday to messages seeking comment about events hosted by New Faces of Pride, which changed its name last fall after being sued by Pride Houston for trademark infringement .

New Faces of Pride is hosting a “Houston Sapphic Pride” event at 7 p.m. Friday at Pearl Bar, as well as the annual Pride fundraising brunch at 11 a.m. Sunday at Heights Social. Two parade afterparties are also planned for Saturday evening, from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at POST Houston and 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. at Rich’s Houston.

The New Faces of Houston Pride via Facebook

The organization’s first Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. in front of Houston City Hall and will feature LGBTQ+ musicians Billy Gilman, Chris Housman and Lauren Sanderson as entertainment headliners, as well as as an indoor VIP area. The downtown parade will follow from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will include approximately 60 participating groups, according to Christian.

Simonton, who did not provide an estimate on the number of people expected at the festival and parade, said Thursday that New Faces of Pride has almost sold out its retail spaces at the festival and will have about 150. Parade attendance is free, general admission tickets for the previous festival are $3, and VIP experiences are $150 for the parade or festival or $250 for both.

Proceeds from the events will benefit Montrose area charities Grace Place and Tony’s Place, which support LGBTQ+ youth.

Simonton thanked the city and its police and fire departments for helping coordinate the festival and parade. She also said New Faces of Pride benefited from the planning expertise of event directors Monte Bachus and Dustin Sheffield, who previously helped organize the annual events hosted by Pride Houston.

“It’s coming together and we couldn’t be happier,” Simonton said. “Party smart, be inclusive and respectful, and come celebrate Pride.”

Simonton said New Faces of Pride has had to provide clarity to community members about the back-to-back parades and festivals and the organizations that put them on. Mayor John Whitmire and some City Council members said earlier this year that it would be better, and less demanding on the city and its resources, if competing nonprofits could work together and hold festivals and parades common.

Christian echoed that sentiment Thursday while noting that attendance at Houston Pride parades and festivals in previous years has averaged about 75,000 people.

Simonton said the possibility of a collaboration could be considered after this year’s series of Pride parades and festivals, adding that such a dialogue has not yet taken place between Pride Houston and New Faces of Pride. Christian said she has not yet discussed the prospect with either group.

“We would like everyone to be in unison,” Christian said. “It would be the best thing for Houston.”