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Alameda Pride 2023 – Love One Another

Get ready for fun-filled festivities across the island in support of Alameda Pride 2023. From Friday, October 13 through Sunday, October 15, the LGBTQIA+ community will celebrate and be celebrated with parties, a prom, a fun run/walk, and many other family-friendly activities around the city.

Alameda Post - Jeramie Andehueson, the organizer of Alameda Pride 2023
Jeramie Andehueson at Alameda Pride at the Park 2022. Photo José Lim.

Last year saw the first observance of Alameda Pride. The weekend’s events drew big turnouts, with more than 100 people participating in the 5K Fun Run/Walk, hundreds more joining the Pride Strut, and thousands attending the main event in Chochenyo Park. For 2023, organizers have brought the weekend of fun and parties back and made them even better.

When asked about organizing this year’s event, Alameda Pride co-founder Jeramie Andehueson said, “This year has been a little bit tougher… I know a lot of people were afraid of a recession happening. We are going to be fine. It’s about how much money we’ll have left over to be able to give back to the community. We seem to be having a great response.”



This year’s theme is “‘Love One Another,’” Andehueson said. “There’s been a lot of stuff that has happened in the past year… I want to uplift everyone and remember that to love one another, that’s all we have to really do. And, of course, it’s a Cher song,” he laughed.

Alameda Post - Pride 2023 Logo

Pride weekend

The day before the festivities, Corica Park golf course is hosting a Pride picnic, on Thursday October 12, from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Attendee are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, and food to enjoy a day of music, drinks and community. Please RSVP if you plan to attend

First up for the busy weekend is the all-ages prom, “Together We Shine,” hosted by Vicky Sparkle. The dance party will be held in the Healing Garden on Webster Street on Friday October 13 from 5 to 8 p.m., with DJ Raul, a drag dance party, and a photo booth. Advance tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

Then, at 9 p.m. the party moves inside the Fireside Lounge for the Pre-Pride Party, which is 21+ only and goes on until 2 a.m. The evening features DJ Raul, drag shows, vendors and more. Advance tickets are $20, and none will be sold at the door. Friday’s events are sponsored by Fireside Lounge, and a portion of proceeds will go to the Alameda Pride Foundation.

Saturday kicks off early with a 5K fun run/walk that starts at the Elks Lodge on Santa Clara Avenue. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the fun run/walk starts at 9 a.m. The course will proceed along Santa Clara Avenue, turn down Grand Avenue towards Shore Line Drive, make a left on Shore Line, and another left on Willow Street, and then right on Santa Clara and back to the Elks Lodge. Organizers expect participants to complete the course by 11 a.m. The course will not be blocked off to vehicle traffic, so they caution participants to stay within the bike lanes for their safety.

All participants will receive unlimited water and a protein snack box from sponsor Starbucks, as well as a goodie bag with a Pride T-shirt and other treats. There will be a DJ for musical support as well.

Alameda Post - Alameda Pride at the Park 2022. Photo by José Lim
Alameda Pride at the Park 2022. Photo José Lim.

The main event

From noon until 5 p.m, “Pride in the Park” will take over the entirety of Chochenyo Park, including a Kids Zone featuring an Alameda Fire truck and two Alameda Police officers on motorcycles. “I call them copsicles,” Andehueson joked.

Other attractions for kids will include a booth from Children’s Fairyland, the Oakland favorite, as well as a family bookmobile, a magician, and face painters. Alameda Free Library will be providing drag storytime as well. All the attractions for kids will be grouped together at the Encinal Avenue end of the park.

The rest of the park will feature live music, booths from vendors and sponsors (including the Alameda Post—come visit our booth and say hi to us!), with beer and wine and several food trucks. Other highlights to look out for include playable machines from the Pacific Pinball Museum and a truckload of adoptable dogs and cats from FAAS.

Parking for the main event on Saturday afternoon will likely be difficult. There may be parking available in the city garage on Oak Street, or at South Shore Center (no food trucks means more parking), but street parking is expected to fill up quickly in the surrounding neighborhoods. If rideshares or transit buses aren’t your thing, you can always ride a bike—there will be a bike valet at the San Jose Avenue end of the park, with room for 400 bikes.

Organizers encourage you to bring your own lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the performers, but ask that you leave coolers, glassware, and alcohol at home. Instead, support the event by purchasing beer or wine from the on-site vendors.

Alameda Post - Alameda Pride Run and Walk 2022. Photo by José Lim
Alameda Pride Run and Walk 2022. Photo José Lim.

Just can’t get enough

After that, get ready to really dance at the Pride Block Party from 6 until 9 p.m.—DJ Dave Stebbins is back again this year to set the mood, and there will be special effects as well. The entire block of Alameda Avenue from Park Street to Oak Street will be blocked off with lots of room for getting your groove on, and it’s free to the public.

Finally, on Sunday morning, Almanac Beer Company is hosting their weekly Drag Brunch starting at noon. There will be food trucks on hand as well as an outdoor performance. Check our calendar for the most up-to-date information about these events or visit the Alameda Pride website.

Lend a hand

Are you interested in helping out at Pride in the Park? Organizers are still looking for volunteers for the main event in Chochenyo Park. If you’re interested, sign up at the Alameda Pride website’s volunteer page. Volunteers aged 16-20 may help with general tasks, and those over 21 will help with the beer and wine service. All volunteer slots are for October 14, and each shift is just two hours long. If you want to help for a longer time, or at different times, you may book multiple slots—your assistance will be gratefully appreciated.

Updated October 5, 10:10 a.m. to include ticket info and Corica Park picnic.

Adam Gillitt is the Publisher of the Alameda Post. Reach him at [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Adam-Gillitt.

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