For Los Angeles, Pride is no walk in the park. In fact, it’s a massive music festival stacked with queer headliners including Ricky Martin and Jojo Siwa. Held last Saturday, LA Pride in the Park returned to the LA State Historic Park, where 20 acres of greenery were masked with a sea of rainbows in celebration of Pride month. Drawing an astronomic crowd–where the park can boast up to 25,000 people–the festival also featured ballroom performances by Miyake-Mugler, Kiki House of Coochie, Kiki House of Vivienne Westwood, Kiki House of Fubu and House of Tisci.
Latin sensation Ricky Martin (of “Livin’ La Vida Loca” acclaim) electrified the crowd, while Jojo Siwa ushered in her “bad girl” era with a performance of “Karma” – complete with her now-viral dance move. Mesh-wearing partiers also moshed to performances by MUNA (“the greatest band in the world” as per their Instagram), Tokischa, ADIV, Isaac Dunbar, RaiNao, and Hason. Dark pop singer Ryan Satyr also performed, as well as Lady Londyn – who sang debut album music. The cast of MAX’s “We’re Here” also graced the stage. That’s none other than Sasha Velour, Latrice Royale, Jaida Essence Hall and Priyanka.
Festival-goers donned everything from hot pink sequined cowboy hats to feathered pants to holographic jumpsuits. Bedazzled sunglasses, glitter body paint, tasseled scarves and neon lingerie were also choice festival outfits. The celebration, themed “Power in Pride,” was put on by the Christopher Street West Association, a nonprofit organization that provides “safe and inclusive spaces for self-expression” for L.A.’s LGBTQ+ community. CSW organized the world’s first permitted gay rights parade in 1970, and over 50 years later, L.A. Pride in the Park continues to be one of the country’s largest Pride festivals.