It’s been 50 years of PrideFest in Denver and the two-day celebratory event’s entertainment lineup was just announced — and it includes some of the drag world’s biggest stars.
This year’s PrideFest is scheduled for June 22-23 at Civic Center Park. Last year’s two-day event drew over 550,000 attendees, according to the event host, the Center on Colfax. This year’s biggest events, outside the entertainment and festival area, will be the Denver PRIDE 5K, presented by Smartwool, and the Coors Light Denver Pride Parade.
The 5K will kick off events on Saturday, June 22, at 9:30 a.m. The run will benefit programs supporting Colorado’s LGBTQ+ community, according to the Center on Colfax. The parade will start Sunday’s events at 9:30 a.m., crossing 14 blocks in the parade route and featuring hundreds of floats, participants and more.
The Center Stage Line Up will include some of the best-known members of America’s drag culture.
Pattie Gonia
Gonia, a critically acclaimed drag queen, artist and environmentalist, is scheduled for her Center Stage performance on Saturday at about 2 p.m. Gonia is known for her outdoorsy style and quips, even partnering with Ikon Pass to give away a few passes in 2023.
In 2019, Pattie Gonia was the subject of an REI documentary called “Dear Mother Nature.” In 2020, the queen was named to the Out100 annual list of “most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people,” and in 2023, Time magazine included them in their list of Next Generation Leaders.
Through various efforts, including thousands of miles of hiking, Pattie Gonia has fundraiser over $2 million for LGBTQ+, BIPOC and environmental nonprofits. In addition, the queen has worked on film projects with the likes of Yo-Yo Ma and Quin Christopherson.
Alyssa Edwards
Edwards’ performance is presented by Nissan and is scheduled for the Center Stage on Saturday at 3 p.m. Edwards, aka Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson, became a fan favorite with her distinctive personality, classic tongue pops and dance skills during season five of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2012.
Edwards returned to the show for RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars in 2016, where she was fourth runner-up. However, the queen has toured the world, with shows across North America, Europe, Asia and Central and South America. Johnson is also the owner of an award-winning dance studio in Mesquite, Texas.
Shea Couleé
The season five winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race will be in the Mile High City alongside her season five counterpart, Alyssa Edwards, although they are not scheduled to perform together — or even on the same day. Couleé is expected to perform on the Center Stage at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 23.
The nonbinary performer is known for their editorial fashion looks, consistent use of drag and costuming as a medium for storytelling, in addition to their activist work that uplifts the LGBTQ+ community and the Black, interracial and people of color community. Couleé was also a finalist on Season 7 (2022) of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, the special all-winners edition.
Mirage
Head to Center Stage at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, for the “Legs of Las Vegas.” Mirage performs her songs accompanied by her signature heel clacks. Mirage captured the attention with a viral hit song she performed on the most recent season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
There will be two other entertainment stages at PrideFest: The Absolut Dance World Stage and the Latin Stage, presented by US Bank. Entertainment lineups for those stages have not yet been announced.