Provincetown marks fifth annual Pride celebration

May 10, 2022 Queer Forty Staff 8 min read

Provincetown celebrates the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community with queer comedy, Pride Follies, a rally at Town Hall, parties, and more from June 3-5.

Pride season is just about upon us and what better place to mark the occasion than Provincetown?! The Provincetown Business Guild (PBG) is proud to present Provincetown Pride from June 3-5, 2022. The 5th annual celebration of America’s premier LGBTQ+ destination will feature many new events that honor and uplift the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community, a series of events bringing Provincetown’s rich queer history to the forefront plus favorite annual Pride events, including drag brunch, queer drag bingo, and the Pride tea dance at Boat Slip.

“In 2018, when the first official Pride was being planned for Provincetown, the PBG was often asked, why does Provincetown need a pride,” said Stephan Hengst, executive director of the PBG. “Now, five years later, this weekend has proven to be one of the more inclusive and diverse events in Ptown. Provincetown has been a haven for the queer community and a place of tolerance, diversity, and creativity for over a century. We look forward to introducing this special place to even more of the LGBTQ+ community and our supportive allies.”

The PBG and Bay State Cruise Company will host a special Pride cruise on Friday, June 3 at 5:30 PM from Boston to Ptown. Departing from Boston’s World Trade Center, the Cruise will be hosted by the Provincetown Town Crier and Anne Hutchinson, Provincetown LGBTQ+ history tour guide extraordinaire.

To help make Provincetown more accessible to the next generation of LGBTQ+ visitors, the PBG is working closely with the Bay State Cruise Company to offer half-price ferry tickets during Pride Weekend (June 3 – June 5) to anyone age 25 and under with a valid ID. To book these discounted tickets, call Bay State Cruise Lines at (617) 748-1428 and request this rate.

The PBG is partnering with the Provincetown Brewing Co. on a new pre-Pride event on June 2: a Pride edition of the Provincetown Brewing Co.’s Taproom Talks series (happening at the Fine Arts Work Center). “Right on Q: Identity & Understanding Around the Word Queer” will explore the use of the word queer, its history, and its meaning to different facets within the LGBTQ+ community.

Left to Right: Miss Richfield 1981 & Scarbie, the Pride Cruise, Mackenzie & Austin Queer AF Bingo

“Ptown has always welcomed everyone, so this is the perfect place, and Pride is the perfect time to bring the community and visitors together to talk about the word queer,” said Trevor Pittinger, associate director of the PBG.

Respect and appreciate the full spectrum of the queer community at the “In Their OwnVoices”- Community Pride Flag Installation on display on the east lawn of Town Hall. In partnership with the Gilbert Baker Foundation, this exhibit will feature a portion of the original Gilbert Baker Pride flag, the Progress Pride flag, the Trans flag, and ten additional flags representing different identities within the LGBTQ+ community. This will be the first time the “In Their Own Voices” exhibit will be viewed outside the Castro in San Francisco and the Stonewall Inn in New York City.

On June 3, the PBG will host a “Pride Proclamation” in front of the Community Pride Flag Installation. Jay Blotcher, veteran LGBTQ+ journalist, activist, and volunteer publicist for the founding chapters of ACT UP & Queer Nation, will lead the Proclamation and speak to the many new incarnations of Pride flags born from the original Gilbert Baker Rainbow Flag.

Also new this year is the centerpiece of Provincetown’s 5th Annual Pride Weekend, the Queer Comedy Showcase at Town Hall. Laugh with Pride at an evening of queer stand-up comedy featuring Franqi French (Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch (2020) and reigning champ of Stand-Up NBC), Jaye McBride (First openly transgender comedian to perform at Madison Square Garden), Sam Morrison (best new talent at New York Comedy Festival), Kristen Becker (Ptown local and host of Fruit Basket Comedy), and Anddy Egan-Thorpe (creator of Fruit Basket Comedy).

Left to Right: Franqi French, Jaye McBride, Sam Morrison, Kristen Becker, Anndy Egan-Thorpe

Health and wellness will take center stage at this year’s Pride celebration. Start each morning of the weekend with Sunrise Slow Flow Yoga presented by Outermost Yoga. Then on Sunday, June 5, participate in the first-ever Feet Over Front Street Pride 5K Run/Walk in partnership with Provincetown Runners.

The Pride tradition that started in 2018 is not to be missed this year: the Pride Rally at Town Hall, followed by the popular and lively sashay to tea. Before the rally, stop by the ‘Beat’ Booth – Makeup & Flair Station, presented by the professionals at House of La Rue, and express your Pride with a fierce look, feather boa, or a little sparkle.

Another new offering kicking off at Pride is the first-ever LGBTQ+ History Trolley Tour of Provincetown. The PBG and Mercedes Cab Company have partnered to present an hour-long journey through Ptown’s queer history. Set “sail” aboard the Mayflower (trolley) for a unique and entertaining tour led by Anne Hutchinson, historic outcast, gender renovator, and stand-up artist. Tours will depart from Provincetown Town Hall three days each week at 3:30 PM. Learn more about the current schedule at ptown.org/Tours.

Round out your Pride Weekend with the Official Pride Dance Party at A-House, the Queer AF Drag Bingo PBG fundraiser at Crown & Anchor, the Pride Drag Brunch at Pilgrim House, and new this year: hang out beachside just off the pool deck at the Crown & Anchor at the Full Spectrum Beach BBQ, or check out the Dyke Dock Girl Party at the Provincetown Brewing Co.

The full Provincetown Pride calendar is listed below. Visit ptown.org/pride for up-to-date schedules, including dates, times, locations, lodging availability, and information and links for those events requiring a ticket.

Provincetown Pride Schedule of Events

Many Pride events are free and are indicated as such below. Events that require paid tickets or pre-registration are available online at ptown.org/pride.

THURSDAY JUNE 2

Taproom Talk: Right on Q: Identity & Understanding Around the Word’ Queer,’ 6:15 PM-7:30 PM, The Fine Arts Work Center, FREE

ALL WEEKEND: FRIDAY JUNE 3, SATURDAY JUNE 4, AND SUNDAY JUNE 5

Sunrise Slow Flow Yoga by Outermost Yoga, 7:30 AM, The Boatslip
“In Their Own Voices” – Community Pride Flag Installation, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Town Hall East Lawn, FREE
LGBTQ+ History of Provincetown Trolley Tour, 3:30 PM,depart from Town Hall.
Tickets can be purchased at ptown.org/Tours.

FRIDAY JUNE 3

Dedication of the Rainbow Sidewalk by Seamen’s Bank, 11:00 AM, Lopes Square, FREE
Pride Proclamation with the Gilbert Baker Foundation, 3:00 PM-4:00 PM, Town Hall East Lawn, FREE
Queer AF Bingo with Mackenzie & Austin, 5:00 PM-7:00 PM, The Crown & Anchor, 21+ event.
This event is a fundraiser for the Provincetown Business Guild
Bay State Cruise Co. Pride Crossing, 5:30 PM
Set sail from Boston to Ptown with Special Guests for Pride!
Call (617) 748-1428 and request the Pride Weekend Age 25-and-Under Discount to book special 50% discounted tickets for those age 25 and under (valid June 3-5)
Provincetown Pride Follies, 9:00 PM-11:00 PM, The Crown & Anchor
Pride Kickoff Party, 10:00 PM-1:00 AM, The Red Room

SATURDAY JUNE 4

Drag Brunch, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM, The Pilgrim House
Yappy Hour – Hosted by Puppy Play, 2:00 PM-3:30 PM, The Crown & Anchor Courtyard
‘Beat’ Booth – Makeup & Flair Station by House of La Rue, 1:00 PM-3:30 PM, Fire Station No. 3
Get ready for the Pride Rally!
Pride Rally at Town Hall & ‘Sashay’ to Tea, 3:30 PM, Provincetown Town Hall, FREE
The community is encouraged to gather on the steps of Town Hall
Provincetown Pride Tea Dance, 4:00 PM, The Boatslip
Queer Comedy Showcase Presented by the PBG & Fruit Basket, 8:00-10:00 PM, Town Hall
Pride Dance Party, 10:00 PM-1:00 AM, A-House

SUNDAY JUNE 5

Feet Over Front Street 5K – Pride Run & Walk, 8:30 AM-10:00 AM, Harbor Hotel
Spectators are encouraged to cheer on the runners & walkers along Commercial Street at Seamen’s Bank, Joe Coffee, and other locations
Full Spectrum Beach Party, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM, The Crown & Anchor, FREE admission, cash bar
Dyke Dock Girl Party, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM, Provincetown Brewing Co.

Additional Events

THURSDAY JUNE 2 – SATURDAY JUNE 4