One of the final major gay pride events of the year, Palm Springs Gay Pride is all set for the weekend of November 3 and 4. The festivities are many and varied, including fabulous pool parties taking place each day at Camp Palm Springs Resort. These gatherings take place from noon and until 8, and you can buy tickets here (for $20 each day, $35 for both days, or $30 each day if you purchase at the door). Go-go dancers, hot DJs, food service and cocktails, and a giant waterslide are part of the fun.
Other draws at PS Pride this year include performances by Martha Reeves, Pepper Mashay, Kimberly Caldwell, the Crystal Method, Erasure's Andy Bell, and many others. There's also a Pride Parade, downtown Block Party, and a full festival at the city's Sunrise Park. It's easy to see why this event has been attracting more than 70,000 participants and spectators each year.
One of the country's largest clothing-optional gay resorts, Camp Palm Springs has recently undergone an ambitious and much-needed makeover this year, including complete overhauls of the 29 guest rooms, with new bedding, flat-screen TVs, carpeting, furniture, full minibars, and iPod docks. It's a big move for this popular downtown compound, close to several gay bars, which should help it become competitive again with the many other fine gay resorts in Palm Springs - here's an alphabetical list of gay and gay-friendly places to stay in Palm Springs.