CRA grants PRIDE Parade $5,000
With little discussion, the South Cape Community Redevelopment Agency on Tuesday awarded a special event sponsorship grant for the fifth annual PRIDE Cape Coral event to be held March 4 and 5.
The CRA will provide $5,000, the maximum allowed. Of that, $4,300 will go toward support for the closure of Southeast 47th Terrace and $700 for portable restrooms.
According to the event application paperwork, Cape Coral Parks & Recreation will provide $3,900 in funding or support sponsorship.
The CRA board gave its approval in minutes, saying such events bring positive attention to the city. The was some comment as to the entertainment, asking the representatives of PRIDE Cape Coral, to keep it “classy, not trashy.”
PRIDE Cape Coral is a two-day weekend street event of education and celebration.
Saturday’s free event from 3-10 p.m. attracts thousands of people, organizers said.
The event includes a parade, live entertainment, street performers, food trucks, and a tutu drag race competition, with an after-party following the event at Cruiser’s Lounge at 1517 Southeast 47th Terrace.
On Sunday, there will be a drag brunch on Southeast 10th Place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Plastique Tiara, a professional drag entertainer, will be the main attraction. She was on RuPaul’s Drag Race and has become one of the most followed people on TikTok, with more than 11.3 million followers.
Other entertainment will include DJ Mad Mel, South Florida Entertainer of the year; Alyssa Lemay, Miss Cape Coral Pride 2022; Daye Nada and other performers.
A.J. Ford, president of PRIDE Cape Coral, the non-profit holding the event, was happy about receiving the CRA grant.
“This brings in a lot of people from throughout the state and lots of business, love and acceptance,” Ford said.
CRA member Janis Keim said there was an issue with the application process, thus the need for a special meeting. Keim believes the CRA is going to get a good return on its investment.
“We rarely deny anybody. If people go through the correct process, we support that. I think we’ll get more for our buck. We help other events like Touch a Truck and the Rotary Art Show,” Keim said. “I don’t think a lot of people know what the CRA is and it’s good for the CRA and the city. If we get something for it, it’s a win-win.”
The event is all ages and promises to be family friendly.
For ticket information for the brunch event or more information about PRIDE Cape Coral, visit www.pridecapecoral.com or follow @pridecapecoral on Facebook and Instagram
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com