LGBT Days coming to Cathedral City this weekend

Cathedral City will celebrate diversity with three days of live entertainment, iconic films, pool and dance parties Easter weekend.

The Cathedral City LGBT Days kick off at 6 p.m. Friday, April 3, featuring a performance by the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, an Equality Hot Air Balloon, the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Desert Cinemas at 10 p.m. and a Bunny Bar Hop from 8 p.m. To 2 a.m. with a free shuttle.

“Cathedral City has had a long history of being the center of gay life in the Coachella Valley. We’ve lost a little bit of that lustre to Palm Springs and we’re taking it back,” said Mayor Pro Tem Greg Pettis.

“We have four LGBT nightclubs, two resorts, 3 of 5 council members who are openly gay. The city manager is openly gay. We have a large LGBT population in Cathedral City. We’re celebrating diversity in our city making sure everyone feels included,” said communications and events manager Chris Parman.

Teams of five will race to the finish line at 10 a.m. Saturday for a Costume Charity Bed Race along Avenida Lalo Guerrero. The city will provide the beds and participants will dress in costumes, decorate their race bed and push one team member on it during the race.

The Pool Party at CCBC Resort is 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the Studio One11 Disco from 8 p.m. to midnight in front of City Hall.

The festivities will center around local businesses.

“I think it’ll do a lot for us. Bring in more business, larger clientele. It’ll help a lot,” said Kathryn Stonick, a server at the Sunshine Cafe.

The festival will end with an Easter Bonnet Stroll & Contest at 10 a.m. and an Easter Egg Hunt for kids at 12 p.m.

“Going into the end of the season, this is a great way to let people know Cathedral City doesn’t go to sleep,” said Pettis.

For more information and a list of LGBT Days events go to www.cathedralcityLGBTdays.com