Cue the rainbow flags. Bust out your best drag ensemble with matching mittens and scarf. It’s time for the third annual Winter PrideFest at Mt. Bachelor.
Here’s what’s shakin’ on the slopes and beyond for this year’s ultimate winter celebration of LGBTQ+ fabulousness.
Photo by Brenda Berry
What the heck is Winter PrideFest?
Winter PrideFest is a weekend gay pride festival in Bend jam-packed with community events and Mt. Bachelor awesomeness, all aimed at celebrating LGBTQ+ pride.
The third annual PrideFest is taking place January 30-February 2, and promises to be the biggest one yet.
Photo by Brenda Berry
To give you some perspective, the first year’s event in 2018 drew about 150 people, and the second in 2019 about 450. Current projections put the 2020 total around 700, so…yeah…it’s growing.
What’s happening Thursday?
The first day of 2020’s Winter PrideFest happens Thursday, January 30, and features a bounty of social activities and icebreakers.
There’s a panel discussion on LGBTQ+ athletes from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at Immersion Brewing in Bend’s trendy Box Factory, followed by a Welcoming Snocial from 7 p.m -9 p.m. It’s a chance to meet and mingle, interact with panelists, and pick up Mt. Bachelor lift tickets, along with PrideFest schwag that’s complimentary for registered participants.
The panel discussion is $20 and requires pre-registration, while the Snocial is free to attend. Food and drinks can be purchased at Immersion Brewing and nearby Brown Owl.
How about Friday?
Photo by Brenda Berry
The mixing and mingling continue on day two, with Wigs…An Icebreaker held from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Seventh Mountain Resort on Friday, January 31. It’s an all-ages ice skating party, and everyone’s encouraged to don a wig for a twirl around the rink.
Not much of a skater? You can chill by one of the fire pits and enjoy treats and social time. This is a good event for the kiddos, too.
Admission is $5 with your own skates, or $10 with rental. If you’re not planning to skate, it’s free for the whole fam, and tons of fun for spectators and social butterflies.
Go here to register.
Gimme the scoop on Saturday
You’re spending most of the day skiing, of course. Don’t forget to snag your discounted Mt. Bachelor lift tickets here.
Photo by Brenda Berry
Even if you’re not a skier, you’ll definitely want to check out the Winter PrideFest Drag Tubing event from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. at Mt. Bachelor’s Snowblast Tubing Park. All Queens and Kings are invited to don their best look, or just come out to watch and join the fun. Afterward, stick around for the apres ski celebration in the lodge.
When you come down off the slopes, get ready to party like it’s 1999 (only better, because hello, LGBTQ+ rights have improved in two decades).
Winter PrideFest’s Queer Dance Party is taking place at Spoken Moto, a vintage motorcycle showroom that doubles as a bar, coffee shop, and gathering place. The dance party features DJ Jen Siren and Le’Mix, and is for those 21 and older. The $15 cover charge will be well worth it for a night of dancing and good times.
Let’s hear about the deals
I already mentioned the discounted Mt. Bachelor lift tickets here, so make sure you take advantage of that pronto.
Photo by Brenda Berry
In addition, Alaska Airlines is offering a 7% discount on airfares to Bend from within the continental US with discount code ECMC938. Go here for details. Delta Airlines is on board as well, with discounts ranging from 2-10%, depending on class. Use code NY2ZW and find info here.
Need a hookup on a place to bunk for the weekend? LOGE is offering a 15% discount to registered PrideFest participants using discount code WINTERPRIDEFEST. You can check that out here.
Want more info? Check out this link for info on sponsors, schedule, and pics of past events.
See you out there for Winter PrideFest!