Orlando’s premiere Pride event is going to look a little different in 2011.
Come Out With Pride (COWP) Executive Director & Senior Executive Producer Mikael Audebert said the biggest change is moving COWP from Sunday to Saturday.
“Saturday is when people party,” he said.
The parade and festival will stay mostly the same, but Audebert said there will also be some big changes in the evening entertainment.
“We’re not bringing a huge talent this year from out of state, but moving forward with a complete fireworks show over Lake Eola,” he said. “We’ve already gotten the approvals needed.”
He said the switch to fireworks is already in the budget, but will actually be a money saver for COWP. Total expenses for last year’s stage talent were about $30,000. Fireworks are estimated to cost about $11,000.
“The talent was never a big draw because of limited space and people tend to leave after the parade,” he said. “Now, people can gather around the lake, and we’re creating fireworks lounges spread around.”
This means a timeline shift of two hours—the parade will now start at 4 p.m.
It’s also shifting directions, going back to the 2009 route, because of the downtown addition of Amway Arena. Additionally, organizers plan to choose three or four floats do brief performances in front of the emcee’s booth. The main speaker for 2011 will be Orlando Sentinel writer Scott Maxwell.
Audebert said the whole thing will be over around 8 p.m., and then revelers will be invited to move to Mr. Sisters for a ticketed after party event that will feature entertainment being forgone by the lake.
“Mr. Sisters stepped forward financially and logistically in taking care of this,” Audebert said. “We’re working with clubs and bars that approach us and participate financially as well, because they will benefit.”
COWP is also hosting a contest where winning photos will be featured in the event’s marketing materials. Visit ComeOutWithPride.com for details.
