In honor of PRIDE month that runs throughout June, Cape Coral organizations are hosting events to celebrate inclusivity and freedom of expression.

The South Cape Entertainment & Hospitality Association’s second annual South Cape PRIDE Trolley Event takes place June 11 where drag queen hosted trolleys take attendees to various hot spot locations for specialty food and drink selections.

“Our trolley goers will get to taste the rainbow during this colorful event,” said SCHEA spokesperson Shannon Quinn. “South Cape PRIDE Trolley will feature drink and appetizers samples from 12 participating locations. There will also be drag queens on board the trolleys for entertainment, trivia and giveaways. And, we will have a photo booth contest for the best dressed.”

Tickets include a wristband to board the trolleys, a passport to all sampling locations, drink and appetizer samples, eligibility to win prizes for answering trolley trivia and access to the official photo booth contest at the South Cape Hub. Crawlers who get their passport stamped at each venue will be entered into the grand prize giveaway, and the photo booth contest winner will receive four tickets to the Red, White & Brew Trolley Event on June 25.

Attendees are encouraged to dress up for the occasion, and SCHEA enjoys seeing how imaginative people can get.

Participating locations and their samples include:

• BackStreets Sports Bar – Strawberry Lemonade and Strawberry & Goat Cheese Bruschetta with Balsamic Drizzle

• BIG8 BBQ – Big8 Bomb & Pork Sliders

• Cruisers – Cosmo & Spicy BBQ Meatball

• The Dive – Banana Hammock & Little Smokies

• Dixie Live – Summer Pride & Sweet Corn Nuggets

• Dixie Roadhouse – Tutti Frutti & Spicy Battered Cauliflower

• Kimber’s Cigar & Wine Lounge – Unicorn Cotton Candy & Rainbow Blanket Dogs

• Monkey Bar Steak & Seafood – Tropical Monkey & Chicken Wings

• Rack’em Spirits & Times – Candy Apple & Rainbow Crunch Bars

• Ralph’s Place – Jello Shots & Fireballs

• Rusty’s Raw Bar & Grill – Spicy Jalapeno Mango Margarita & TBD

• Tiki Bar – Taste the Rainbow & Fried Mushrooms

Quinn said the event is about bringing together members of the community from all different walks of life to share common ground instead of focusing on differences. Events such as PRIDE trolley and PRIDE Cape Coral in recent years have demonstrated that Cape Coral residents are all for the movement.

“To build a world of inclusivity, you have to start with the local community. SCHEA hosted the first PRIDE Cape Coral street event and in recent years, PRIDE Cape Coral became its own organization. It’s all about growth. And SCHEA will continue to support that organization’s mission and goals in the PRIDE movement.”

Tickets can only be purchased online at or at the South Cape Hub (909 S.E. 47th Terrace) and are $30 each ($35 day-of) or $25 for designated drivers. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.southcapeentertainment.com.

This is a 21-plus event and valid ID at check-in will be required. Guests can check-in from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the South Cape Hub, and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the hub and also Big John’s Plaza. Late check-in will take place at the hub until 10 p.m.

To enter the grand prize drawing, turn in a completed passport to a trolley, at a participating location, or at the South Cape Hub.

Paws for PRIDE

This free event takes place on June 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Dive. Attendees are encouraged to bring their four-legged companions out for an evening of fun. Live music from Tyler Kluesner takes place from 3:30 to 7 and all proceeds of “Salty Dog” drinks will benefit PRIDE Cape Coral, a non-profit organization.

“Who doesn’t want to bring their furry friend to support Paws for PRIDE,” Quinn said.

PRIDE Cape Coral stated that donations “help continue the local LGBTQ mission of building awareness and inclusivity through facilitating a welcoming environment for members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community through education, support and recognition.”

The Dive is at 4810 Vincennes St. in Cape Coral.

Drag Queen Bingo Brunch

PRIDE Cape Coral will host Drag Brunch Bingo on Sunday at Nice Guy’s featuring a drag show by Tara Newhole and Trixie Towers. Tickets are $18 each and include a reserved seat, brunch menu from Nice Guy’s, and drag show viewing.

Bingo cards are $10 to play and $5 for extra cards (cash for bingo cards is required). Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase during the event.

There are two shows available: the first from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second from 2:15 to 3:30. Tickets can only be purchased in groups of two, four or six.

The brunch menu includes biscuits and gravy, brunch tots, street corn tots, chick and waffles pizza, eggs benedict pizza, vegan chicken and waffles pizza and more. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/drag-brunch-bingo-tickets-342187541147?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

Nice Guy’s Pizza and Beer is at 1404 Cape Coral Parkway East.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj