Last year, cars floated away.
This year the weather was kinder. Palm Beach Pride 2025 kicked off under a cloudy sky, with a chill in the air and a persistent wind—but at least the show went on. Unlike in 2024 when the first day was canceled due a heavy downpour.
The event featured an array of vendors, community organizations, and food and drink options. The music set the scene, with live performances, a club remix of What’s Up? by 4 Non Blondes, and Never Enough from The Greatest Showman.
Rebel Recovery is a nonprofit harm reduction organization that supports those in recovery from substance abuse.
“Pride is really important to us. A lot of our folks who work with us and that we work for are queer, it's another layer of marginalization. The isolation from being queer is what leads a lot of folks to depression or even substance use,” said Rebel Recovery staff member Tessa Moody. “And so any way that we can help protect our community, with safe supplies, with overdose prevention resources, and also just with solidarity and a listening ear.”
The food options were as diverse as South Florida itself: conch fritters, barbecue, avocado bowls, African cuisine, and arepas.
Joe Kolb attended the event as a volunteer with Compass. He is involved with Coffee Clatch, a social group focused on the older LGBTQ+ community. He said the members varied from 50 years old to 80.
“And a lot of the people we're finding, especially as they get an older age, are by themselves, and they don't have an outlet as far as meeting other people,” he said.
Janet Clark is a board member with the National Organization for Women. They set up a photo opportunity where visitors could dress as if they were a character from the Handmaid’s Tale.
“So what we're here for today is to hand out information for abortion access policy, just giving them a heads up about what's going on in our society,” Clark said.
There were vendors selling rainbow decked out gear, quirky earrings, and eclectic clothing. Several government organizations were represented as well, such as the City of Lake Worth Beach, the Supervisor of Elections office, and the Palm Beach County Library system.
The event continues Saturday until 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. The annual Pride Parade will start at 11 a.m. and travel down Lake Avenue. It will finish at Bryant Park, where all other Pride festivities are held.
