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Yoga in the Park at 10:00 a.m. is the starter for the annual PACE (People Acting for Change and Equality) Pride in the Park celebration, says Steven Galbraith. The event goes from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 18th.

“Everyone is invited to join PACE as we proudly celebrate the lives of Northwest Louisiana’s LGBT community,” says Adrienne Critcher.

“At 11:00 a.m. Marilynn’s Place will serve hamburgers, hotdogs, and fixins,” says Critcher, “PACE will be providing refreshments, while The Korner Lounge will be selling beer and wine (cash only). Games will be set up in the park, with raffle prizes occurring throughout the event. Raffle prizes will be provided by Krewe of Atlas, Philadelphia Center, and Louisiana Trans Advocates.

PACE will also have three large “swag bag” raffle prizes (valued over $125 each), available exclusively for existing PACE members. If you’re not currently a member of PACE, you can sign up at the event. The Pride t-shirt contest will happen again this year, with an award for the best Pride-themed t-shirt. New this year is the Doggy Style Show, a dog show competition for the pet displaying the most Pride! Also, Levette Fuller with the Krewe of Highland will be hosting a story time for children at 12:00 noon.”

“I’ll never forget the first Pride event I attended. It was a Gay Pride parade in Los Angeles back in the early 90s. I was overwhelmed by the expression of love and acceptance. Here were people celebrating the LGBT community right out in the open. Having grown up in the South, I had never seen that before. It was a milestone event for me. Likewise, Pride in the Park is a family-friendly event celebrating LGBT history out in the open. Hopefully, it will offer others the same experience I had in LA right here in Louisiana,” says Shreveporter Brad Campbell.

After Pride in the Park, the Korner Lounge will be hosting Turnabout, their annual fundraiser in celebration of LGBT Pride month where bartenders from the Korner put on a colorful drag show. Additionally, Mylestone Bar is offering drink specials to Pride attendees. Central Station will have no cover charge for Pride attendees.

See the Pride in the Park event on Facebook.