In honor of PRIDE month this June, Cape Coral will play host to a pair of special events geared towards equality and the support of the LGBTQ+ community.

The South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Association’s trolley events return after a long hiatus due to the pandemic on June 12 from 7 to 11 p.m.

Participants will travel throughout the South Cape on Drag Queen hosted trolleys to 10 different venues to sample PRIDE themed drink and appetizers. This is the first SCHEA-organized trolley event in more than a year, as they’ve resorted to hosting walking pub-crawls.

“We’re excited to get back to the real deal,” said SCHEA President Shelly Walton in a release. “The trolleys were sorely missed.”

The evening of colorful fun will benefit local non-profit PRIDE Cape Coral.

Trolley hosts include 2020’s Miss Cape Coral Pride Alyssa Lemay, and area drag queens Trixie Towers, Skyler Edge, Gigi Von Parlo, Sizzy Griddles, and Tara Newhole.

Standard tickets cost $20, and include a drink sample and appetizer sample at each location. Designated driver tickets cost $15, and include appetizer samples, plus a non-alcoholic beverage at each location upon request. Day-of tickets, if available, will be $25.

Each attendee will receive a photo strip souvenir. Guests are encouraged to dress in PRIDE-themed attire and can opt to have their photo booth pictures entered into the Official Photo Booth Contest. The winning photo receives a total of four tickets to the Red, White & Brew Trolley Event on June 26.

Guests who have their provided passport stamped at all 10 locations will be entered to win a PRIDE gift basket.

“Trolley events are a great way for people to visit places that are new to them or ones they haven’t visited in a while,” Walton said. “They’re also a great way to meet new people.”

Participating locations include:

-BackStreets Sports Bar

-Cruisers

-Dixie Live

-Dixie Roadhouse

-Nice Guys Pizza

-Rack’em Spirits & Times

-Ralph’s Place

-Rusty’s Raw Bar & Grill

-Sidecar Treats

-Tiki Hut

Ticket holders can check in from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the South Cape Hub, or from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the hub, as well as Big John’s Plaza. Late check-in is until 10 p.m. at the South Cape Hub.

The event is 21-plus and a valid ID at check-in is required.

Tickets can be purchased online via Eventbrite or at the South Cape Hub at 909 S.E. 47th Terrace, #105. In-person ticket purchases must be made in cash and carry no fees.

PRIDE Pool Party

PRIDE Cape Coral will host its first annual pool party fundraiser on June 5 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Cape Coral Yacht Club Pool.

Tickets are $25 and include complimentary hors d’oeuvres. There will be a cash bar, drag show, deejay and more.

“Get your Speedos and dancing feet ready as we splash into summer with PRIDE Cape Coral,” organizers said online.

The event will be hosted by DJ Mad Mel and Daye Nada, also featuring Trixie Towers Skyler Edge.

Nice Guys & Backstreets Sports Bar will serve hors d’oeuvres. Premium liquor and seltzers will be available for purchase by Wicked Dolphin and Fort Myers Brewing Company.

Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite, with tickets at the door available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

For more information on PRIDE Cape Coral, visit their Facebook page or www.pridecapecoral.com.

The Cape Coral Yacht Club is at 5819 Driftwood Parkway.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj