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Spots to participate in the 2022 Vallarta Pride parade are filling up fast, so if you’re a business or local organization and want to show your pride, don’t miss out on an opportunity to participate in the annual Vallarta Pride Parade.
With more than 20,000 people estimated to attend 2022 Vallarta Pride, it’s a great way to strut your pride walking as a group, decorating a float, or even in a dressed up vehicle. Parade applications are available online at vallartapride.org. Just download, fill it out and return it. Once they’ve received your application, you’ll get more information regarding your entry. There are limited spots available, so don’t wait till the last minute.
“It’s fun and a great opportunity for local businesses to show their pride and their support,” said Brian Kent, Brian Kent Productions, Producer, Vallarta Pride. “The parade is a licensed and permitted event which requires street closures, planning and lots of logistics. Only those entries that have made proper applications and approved will be allowed.”
Organizers have priced entry fees based on the size of the number of participants. Funds from the entry fees help offset the cost of the parade.
“There are many costs associated with the parade like street closures, logistics, staffing, and cash prizes for the top three entries,” Kent said. “We have three judges from the community that will be at the end of the route with their keen eyes scoring every entry that goes by to pick the winners this year.”
Entry fees:
• Groups with 1-10 employees or persons – $250MXN
• Groups with 1-20 employees or persons – $500 MXN
• Groups with 20+ employees or persons – $1,000 MXN
Three cash prizes will be awarded for the most original float and other critiques.
The Pride Parade, which started in 2013, will be over a 3 km route (1.8 miles) that starts in front of the Sheraton, and follows streets that run parallel to the boardwalk. The parade ends up in Zona Romantica near Lázaro Cárdenas street, where the Pride Block Party will just be getting started. Lázaro Cárdenas will be closed, a huge stage will be set up and party goers can enjoy music, drinks and shoulder to shoulder guys.
In the past the parade has wrapped down the street as far as you can see, filled with bright colors, hot men, dancers, drag queens, and vehicles dressed up in pride colors.
As the parade entries pass by the reviewing stand, the announcer will describe the entry, the business and its history, and the amount of work that went into decorating the vehicle or float.
“The parade is always a highly anticipated event and it’s finally back,” Kent said. “This year the Block party and Drag Derby are also returning and we couldn’t be more excited about it!”
And while shirtless men are welcome, public nudity is against the law in Puerto Vallarta and so you won’t see any naked bodies parading down the street.
And while it would be unusual for rain this time of year, Kent said it was important to mention that there was no rain date, and fees are non-refundable should the parade be canceled or shortened due to inclement weather.
Parade Applications are available online at vallartapride.org. Just download, fill it out and return it. Once they’ve received your application, you’ll get more information regarding your entry.
“Applications are important so we know who is in the parade and the best place to put you in the line up,” Kent said. “It’s that easy! Only people that have submitted an application will be allowed in the parade so make sure to get yours in as soon as possible.”
Sponsorships Close April 29, 2022
Are you a business owner looking to sponsor Vallarta Pride? Reach out to David Mark Smith at david@vallartapride.org for more information and sponsorship deck. The deadline for sponsorships is April 29, 2022.
To have an event listed on the official Vallarta Pride website as an “official” event, you must be a sponsor of Vallarta Pride at any level.
“There will be hundreds of individual events throughout the week at various LGBTQ venues, so while we’re not able to list them all, we encourage visitors to check out our website for venue listings and then find out what’s happening on their calendars,” Kent said.
If you are interested in volunteering, Vallarta Pride is still needing volunteers for the parade, the block party and the Drag Derby. Email info@vallartapride.org so you can be added to the list.
Vallarta Pride officially runs from May 23 to 30, 2022. For a full schedule of events and more information, go to https://vallartapride.org
Pride Parade
Thursday, May 26, 7 p.m.
Block Party
Thursday, May 26, 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Drag Derby
Saturday May 28, 5 to 8:30 p.m.
The Annual Pulpito Drag Derby will take place on Pupito Street & Olas Altas (In front of Swedes) transforming the area into a Drag Race Track and giant block-party featuring music, laughs, entertainment and another amazing (drag) race. The winners receive cash prizes and a chance to compete in the Drag Derby Finals in Denver Colorado.
Check out these videos from the FIRST EVER Vallarta Pride Parade in 2013.
