THIRD ANNUAL WINTER PRIDE FEST LGBTQ+ SKI WEEKEND DESCENDS ON
OREGON’S MT. BACHELOR, JAN. 30 TO FEB. 2, 2020, IN BEND, ORE.
More than 700 LGBTQ+ winter sports enthusiasts expected to take part in a variety of festivities both on and off the mountain
(BEND, Ore.) — The third annual Winter PrideFest, a celebration of winter sports among the LGBTQ+ community, is returning to one of the country’s top destinations for outdoor recreation for four days of on- and off-mountain sports and social activities, Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2020, at Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Ore.
“Winter PrideFest was conceived as a way to bring the LGBTQ+ community together over a shared passion for outdoor recreation and winter sports, and to do so in a way that is inclusive, social, educational, and above all, fun,” said Jamie Nesbitt, president of OUT Central Oregon, which organizes the annual event. “What started as a local grassroots effort in year one has quickly evolved into an event with regional and national cache, and we think there’s no better venue to celebrate diversity than Mt. Bachelor and Bend.”
At Mt. Bachelor, Winter PrideFest will feature daily organized groups for Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing, plus the popular Drag Tubing. In town, attendees can take part in a Welcome Snocial at Immersion Brewing, Wigs Ice Skating at Seventh Mountain Resort, a panel discussion on LGBTQ+ people in sport, a downtown Apres Ski Party at Crater Lake Spirits, Hey Honey Dance Party at Spoken Moto, and a Sunday brunch.
“We have seen attendance at Winter PrideFest increase exponentially from 150 attendees in year one, to 450 attendees in year two, and we estimate that 700 people will be at this year’s event,” said Nesbitt. “With two-thirds of those attendees coming from outside of Central Oregon, there’s no question that Winter PrideFest has quickly established itself as a marquee winter event for the LGBTQ+ community to rally around.”
Most Winter PrideFest events are free to attend, though space is limited for certain events and activities, and advance registration is encouraged. For more information or to register for Winter PrideFest, Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2020 at Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Ore., visit www.outcentraloregon.com/winter-pridefest/ or the Winter PrideFest Facebook Event page.
About Winter PrideFest:
Now in its third year, Winter PrideFest is a multi-event weekend celebrating diversity and inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community and allies through various winter activities, social gatherings, and inspiring events. From a grassroots inaugural event that drew 150 attendees, Winter PrideFest is expected to attract more than 700 attendees this year to Bend, Ore., and Mt. Bachelor, Jan. 30 through Feb. 2, for four days of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, panel discussions, and evening social functions. For more information or to register for Winter PrideFest, visit www.outcentraloregon.com/winter-pridefest/ or the Winter PrideFest Facebook Event page.
About OUT Central Oregon:
OUT Central Oregon, a public charitable organization, promotes inclusivity and visibility for LGBTQ+ people by enabling and fostering community engagement. Working within the social, cultural, and economic landscape of Central Oregon, OCO develops and builds partnerships with businesses, government, and other organizations to promote and support the LGBTQ+ community. OUT Central Oregon educates the LGBTQ+ community and the public by providing public discussions, lectures, documentary screenings, social gatherings, and outdoor activities. For more information visit www.outcentraloregon.com, email info@outcentraloregon.com, or call 458-206-0588.