This week’s PRIDE activities designed to raise the profile of the LGBTQIA+ community and emphasize their dignity, respect and economic and social value in the Coastal Bend was resoundingly successful with record numbers of participants and spectators.

Despite incredible heat and high humidity, Saturday’s Parade included approximately 500 participants, including LGBTQIA+ members and organizations, local businesses, churches, community and service organizations, higher education institutions, and local governments in the one-mile route along Shoreline Boulevard. Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales was the Parade’s Grand Marshal. The Block Party at Water’s Edge Park hosted more than 3,100 attendees, including almost 50 vendors and six food trucks.

“This weekend demonstrated there are numerous friends and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Bill Hoelscher, President of the Mosaic Project of South Texas. “It was a beautiful example of people coming together united in spirit, sharing stories, giving support, and loving people for who live their authentic lives.”

Several local businesses made the Mosaic Project of South Texas the beneficiary of PRIDE Week activities. Dave and Buster’s Restaurant at LaPalmera held a raffle during the Block Party and raised funds benefitting the Mosaic Project of South Texas. OrangeTheoryFitness held a special PRIDE Week workout on Friday evening featuring a special performance by a fitnessdrag diva and raised $235 to help the Mosaic Project of South Texas’ PRIDE programming.

“The success of PRIDE Week 2019 has resulted in renewed interest and enthusiasm for an even bigger and better PRIDE Week 2020,” Hoelscher said. “We welcome feedback from the community on what they enjoyed, what they’d like to see changed and what enhancements we can make for next year.” To provide feedback about PRIDE Week 2019, go to pridecorpuschristi.com.

Only about 50 size Large (L) and Extra Large (XL) Pride Corpus Christi t-shirts remain available for $20. If you’d like one, please email info@pridecorpuschristi.com and find out where to get yours.

Other PRIDE Week 2019 highlights:

The Harbor Bridge was illuminated in rainbow colors all week as visible celebration of PRIDE Week. Mosaic Project of South Texas Board President Bill Hoelscher was profiled in the June issue of The Bend magazine.

PRIDE Week began with a sold-out first-run showing of Rocketman, the Elton John biopic, at Alamo Drafthouse. Movie tickets were in such demand that it had to be moved to a larger theater.

Equality Texas hosted a very successful Guerrilla Bar at the Post at Lamar Park to raise awareness of legislative efforts in Austin to protect LGBTQ rights. The event clearly demonstrated the economic power of the LGBTQ community. The Corpus Christi Caller-Timeshosted a livestream panel discussion with five local LGBTQ professionals on how perceptions and policies have changed in their professions over their careers. The panelists were Sherri Tucker, Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi; Anna Richardson with the City of Corpus Christi’s Utility Department; Frank Reyna, a Professional Makeup Artist and Drag Entertainer; Kitana Sanchez, a community advocate and Frank Morales, with the U.S. Public Defender’s Office.  Revolve One Podcast hosted a wide-ranging interview with PRIDE Parade and Block Party Chair Tom Tagliabue.

Texas native firebrand comedian Sandra Valls headlined a 90-minute performance to a sold out audience at Mesquite Street Pizza.

Revelers celebrated PRIDE Week on Thursday with a pub crawl at three local LGBTQ bars on Staples Street (Club Connect, the Frat House and the Hidden Door). Talent drag performers entertained at two shows that evening.

KIII TV’s Morning Edition broadcast a live remote on Friday morning from Water’s Edge Parkto promote the upcoming PRIDE activities and discuss the importance of PRIDE in the community. Prom Night was Friday night during PRIDE Week. Almost 100 LGBTQIA+ youths attended a Night Under the Big Top to dance, make friends and live their truth without fear of judgement or resentment. Starbucks provided complimentary refreshments. Adults got a second chance to have their prom with a dance at the Bay Jewel. More talented drag performers highlighted the event.

Sunday night’s event elevated the cause of the transgendered community. The House of Rock hosted a Trans Pride night featuring beauty and makeup tips and another rousing performance by drag entertainers.

PRIDE Week’s final activity was an open mic Poetry Night at the Exchange hosted by Revolve One Podcast. A standing-room only crowd heard local poets deliver their works during a two-hour show.

Presenting sponsor for PRIDE Week 2019 is Wienershnitzel. Red level sponsors are Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation and Herrman and Herrman. Orange level sponsors are Hicks Family Subaru and Conni Geary and Joseph C. “Jay” Wise. Yellow level sponsors are Tito’s Handmade Vodka, AEP Texas, and Planet Fitness. Other major PRIDE sponsors, include: HRMG, Pomegranate Studios, Planet 102.3, the City of Corpus Christi, the City of Robstown, Snyder+Associates, Apollo Towing Service, Alamo Drafthouse, Mulligan’s Pub, IBC Bank, OrangeTheory Fitness, Dave and Buster’s, Atomic Omelette, FastSigns, Skid-O-Kan, St. Paul United Church of Christ, Mike Shaw Toyota, Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson, Laguna Wealth Services, Equality Texas, Nami Stone and Peter McComb Keller Williams Real Estate, San Jacinto Title, South Texas Substance Abuse and Recovery Services (STSARS), Beauty Dungeon, Office Depot/Office Max, the law offices of Fontaine M. Gonzalez, P.C., the House of Rock, the Bay Jewel, the Hidden Door, Club Connect, the Frat House, the Circle of Care, Steve and Sarah Banta, New York Life, the Purple Door, Smoothie King, Downtown Management District, Sylvia Schulte-Turner, Stiletto Productions, Inc. and Liz Sweeney State Farm Insurance.