Take a look at the recent headlines and it becomes pretty clear, pretty quickly: There has never been a better time to celebrate LGBT pride. The 2013 Pridefest, which takes place at Greater Fort Lauderdale’s War Memorial Auditorium and Holiday Park, is the largest LGBT Pride event in the State of Florida, attracting thousands of attendees and close to 250 vendors.

The two-day celebration features non-stop local, regional, and national entertainment, an outdoor marketplace featuring over 150 vendors, over 25 food booths, frozen drinks, beer, and cocktails, a dance/karaoke tent and many more fun and exciting surprises. 2013 marks the 36th Annual Pridefest, with all ticket sales benefitting our community.

2013 Pridefest takes place at the War Memorial Auditorium and Holiday Park (800 NE 8 St., Fort Lauderdale), from 12 to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 9 and Sunday March 10, 2013. Tickets for each day are $10. Weekend Pass for both Saturday and Sunday are $15. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting showclix.com/event/pridefest2013, or at ticketmaster.com/war-memorial-auditorium-tickets-ft-lauderdale/venue/106951.

This year will also feature the return of the Pridefest Parade, which will run from the softball fields to the Parking area.

This year’s Pridefest stage will be located outdoors, and will feature local, regional and national performers from 12-6 p.m. each day.

That’s Entertainment

The producers of 2013 Pridefest have announced the Headline Performer for this year’s 36th annual event, American pop duo Karmin, best known for their song “Brokenhearted,” which earned 14,000,000 views on YouTube and reached the top 20 in the U.S., and the top 10 in Australia, New Zealand and the U.K., and the song “Hello,” which reached Number 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart in the U.S. Karmin—which features 26 year old performers Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan—will perform on Sunday, March 10 at 6 p.m.

Although entertainers and performances are subject to change without notice, at press time the scheduled performers include Billboard Top 100 recording artists Karmin, “American Idol” performer Frenchie Davis, comedian/hypnotist Jon Simon, “American Idol” Season 9 performer Michael Lynche, Alexis Salgado, No Angel, Yovanni Medel, Philip Alexander, the Tropical Wave ensemble of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, the Church of the Holy Spirit Song Choir, the Sunshine Cathedral Choir, the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble, Miss Pride South Florida 2013 Porsha Chambers, and many others.

The hosts for the 36th Annual Pridefest weekend are WSVN-7 news anchor Craig Stevens, Sirius XM Satellite Radio personalities Derek & Romaine and local celebrity drag performer Nicolette (Saturday, March 9), and local TV personality Charles Perez of WPLG Local 10 and celebrity entertainer Jennifer McClain (Sunday, March 10).

Weeklong Pride

Official Pridefest events kick off the week, including a couple of new events. The Taste of Pride on Thursday, March 7, showcases local LGBT and LGBT-friendly restaurants, cafés, bars, and specialty shops.

Pride Comedy Night, a co-promotion with The Broward Center for the Performing Arts at Parker Playhouse, will be held on Friday, March 8, featuring nationally-known comedians Jason Stuart and Jessica Kirson.

Also on Friday, March 8, Scandals Saloon hosts Pride comic and special guest Jason Stuart at 10 p.m.

On Saturday, March 9, the Official Pridefest After-Party takes place poolside at The Depot Cabana Bar & Grill, co-hosted by the Pride Factory, at 7:30 p.m., featuring a special meet-and-greet with Frenchie Davis and a 10-year anniversary Bon Voyage Party hosted by Derek & Romaine of SiriusXM OutQ 108.

On Sunday, March 10, Sidelines Sports Bar hosts the Official Pridefest Closing Party at 7 p.m., with special guest Yovanni Medel and music by DJ Silvio.

A complete list of official Pridefest events and parties is available online at pridesouthflorida.org.