Arenas District bars launch fundraiser to fill Palm Springs Pride shortfall

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - As Greater Palm Springs Pride Weekend approaches, local businesses in the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ district are rallying to ensure the celebration continues to thrive — despite a significant budget shortfall.

Bars along the Arenas District — including Blackbook, Chill Bar, Dick’s, Hunter’s, Quadz, and Streetbar — have teamed up to launch a special “Skip the Line” fundraiser. The initiative allows Pride attendees to purchase passes granting them express access to participating venues during the November 7–9 Pride Weekend.

Dean Lavine, owner of Blackbook, said the idea came from a desire to give back to the community and support something greater.

“Every year, we get a ton of people who come down for Pride. We thought if we, instead of making money off of VIP, we donate off to Palm Springs Pride.”

Dean Lavine, Blackbook Owner

The fundraiser comes at a crucial time. Greater Palm Springs Pride, the nonprofit organization behind the annual celebration, has been working to close a $350,000 budget shortfall. Thanks to community support and efforts like the “Skip the Line” campaign, that gap has already been reduced to $275,000.

Palm Springs Mayor Don deHarte praised the Arenas District businesses for stepping up. While the final impact of the fundraiser is still uncertain, DeHarte says its potential is significant.

“We have no idea how many passes will be purchased, but if there’s a thousand, that’s a significant impact on the Pride organization... We’re grateful to the customers supporting the project and to the business owners on Arenas.”

Ron deHarte, Palm Springs Mayor

The “Skip the Line” passes will be valid throughout Pride Weekend, November 7–9.

To purchase a pass, visit https://bit.ly/arenasskip

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