Note: Due to a lack funding, First Coast Pride/Jacksonville Pride 2009 has been cancelled. The event is expected to resume in late July of 2010. What follows is an article about Jacksonville Gay Pride celebrations in the past, as well as links to different community resources at the end of the article. Also keep in mind that two other area Pride events are still taking place in 2009, Jacksonville Black Pride held in early August, and Ancient City Gay Pride (late September) in St. Augustine.
Although southern and central Florida cities like Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Orlando, and Miami receive considerably more attention from gay travelers, the northern Florida metropolis of Jacksonville does have a sizeable GLBT community, and it also hosts an ever-growing gay pride celebration, First Coast Pride, which takes place in late July and early August. In 2009, as noted above, the event was cancelled, but it's expected to resume in 2010. Shop for rooms and compare rates at hotels in Jacksonville during Gay Pride
Additionally, just a 45-minute drive south of Jacksonville, the historic city of St. Augustine hosts Ancient City Gay Pride in late September - the event, now in its second year, takes place Saturday, September 26, in 2009.
In the meantime, here's a look at First Coast Pride's 2008 celebrations:
On Saturday, at 7 pm, you can attend the First Coast Pride Parade, which proceeds for 3 miles, beginning in historic Avondale (at the corner of St. Johns and Van Wert avenues), moving through the historic Riverside District, and ending in Historic Five Points at Riverside Park. En route, the parade passes through the First Coast Pride Block Party, which runs from 6 pm until 10 pm. Afterward, the MOSAIC High Energy Diversity Dance Party takes place at the Historic 5 Points Theatre building, which is at 1022 Park Street. The party lasts until 3 am.
Over both Saturday and Sunday, there's a First Coast Pride Festival, from noon until 6 pm, held at Riverside Park. Here there will be live bands performing, food vendors, and booths of local GLBT-friendly businesses and organizations. For more information on Jacksonville Gay Pride this year, check out Out In The City pride guide.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops in Jacksonville have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers and websites, such as GayJax.com, for details.
