PrideFest

Pridefest Weekend is upon us, and it behooves anybody who is down with the cause to show up. Last year more than a quarter-million people attended the three-day party, and it would send a fantastic message to the powers that be if that total were topped this year. All those educated, fired-up voters celebrating marriage equality, bears, transsexuals and loving families of all shapes and sizes will be a thumb in the eye to that ever-shrinking segment of society that frowns on gaiety. This year's party takes place once again at Soldiers Memorial (Fourteenth and Chestnut streets; www.pridestl.org/pridefest), and the festival grounds will be open from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday (June 23 to 25). Kat DeLuna, Brandon Stansell and Laura Bell Bundy all perform, and the year's best parade starts at noon on Sunday. Admission is free, but donations are much appreciated.