Arlington HELP Center for LGBT Health & Wellness to host second Pride Celebration this weekend

Arlington, Texas – As the rejuvenating embrace of June unfolds, the Arlington HELP Center for LGBT Health & Wellness is leading the charge with its second annual Pride Celebration. The event, designed to champion both the LGBTQ+ and allied communities in Arlington, will transpire from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday at the esteemed Levitt Pavilion.

The chief executive officer of the HELP Center, DeeJay Johannessen, revealed that the distinguished Frank Kent Cadillac of Arlington dealership is taking up the mantle as the title sponsor of this esteemed event. The evening will be brimming with a wide array of entertainment. The attendees can look forward to notable appearances from stars of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” such as the reigning champion from Season 13, Symone, along with accomplished contestants Angeria Paris VanMicheals and Kennedy Davenport. Local drag queens and live music will further enhance the spirit of the celebration.

The detailed timeline of these riveting performances will be disclosed on the day of the event, Johannessen confirmed. Catering to a diverse audience, the event will also offer a family-friendly environment replete with engaging games, face painting, and a plethora of activities suitable for all ages.

An enticing collection of vendors will cater to the tastes of all patrons, providing a vast selection of food, accessories, artwork, and a wide range of Pride merchandise. Moreover, other local nonprofit organizations, providing vital social support, will also be represented at the event.

While the event is open to all, admission will be permitted only through tickets, obtainable via Arlington Pride’s official website, Johannessen clarified. To further assist attendees, the website also provides a detailed parking map with both free and paid options available.

Reflecting on the success of its 2022 Pride Celebration, Johannessen recalled an astonishing turnout of 1,000 attendees, far surpassing an estimated count of 300. This year, owing to an overwhelming wave of community support and the allure of traveling patrons from disparate cities and states, he anticipates the crowd to quadruple to an impressive total of 4,000.

“We were excited to see last year that the support for a Pride event in Arlington exceeded even our own expectations,” Johannessen said. “That’s what led to this getting bigger.”