Snow, sequins and celebration: Winter PrideFest is back, and bigger and bolder than ever. Since 2018, OUT Central Oregon has hosted the vibrant festival to honor Pride, inclusivity and a shared love of the outdoors. From March 6-9, the festival transforms Central Oregon into a winter wonderland of LGBTQ+ joy, featuring skiing, dancing, snowshoeing, comedy and electrifying performances.
“This is going to be the biggest Winter PrideFest yet,” says Justin Buckles, producer of the event and owner of Justin Buckles Productions. “Now more than ever, it’s important for the queer community and allies to come together and celebrate.
The festivities span across multiple venues, including Mt. Bachelor, Silver Moon Brewing, Volcanic Theatre Pub, Seventh Mountain Resort, Tower Theatre and Campfire Hotel. Performers from across the country, including Los Angeles, Birmingham, Alabama, Seattle, Eugene and Portland, will bring top-tier talent to the celebration.
The weekend kicks off on Thursday with a Welcoming Snocial at the Volcanic. Friday’s lineup includes Ski Out On The Mountain https://www.highdeserttickets.com/events/161812575/wigs-an-ice-breaker
at Mt. Bachelor, ice skating at Seventh Mountain, a Queer Comedy Night at Tower Theatre and a nighttime snowshoe and bonfire with Wanderlust Tours.
Saturday’s events feature “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 11 winner Yvie Oddly at the West Lodge Party at Mt. Bachelor, followed by a performance at Silver Moon that evening. Los Angeles-based DJ Jae Fusz, a powerhouse in the LGBTQ+ club scene, will keep the Winter PrideFest Dance Party at Silver Moon going late into the night, joined by drag king Spikey Van Dykey from Birmingham.
Portland’s own Riley Burrows will make his Winter PrideFest debut, performing alongside Yvie Oddly. Known for high-energy routines packed with sparkles, feathers and dazzling choreography, Burrows describes himself as, “the living Bratz Doll of the Pacific Northwest.”
“I love getting to visit new cities and celebrate Pride,” Burrows says. “It’s amazing to share the love and energy that so many communities have — for themselves and for each other.”
New to the festival this year is Out and About, a Sunday community gathering featuring drag bingo at Silver Moon Brewing to wrap up the weekend.
“I’m looking forward to the energy — good vibes, good people,” Buckles says. “I hope everyone has an amazing time and gets to be around people who feel like family and who have your back.”
Winter PrideFest
Thu., March 6-Sun., March 9
Various locations in Bend
Free besides select ticketed events
winterpridefestcentraloregon.com
This article appears in The Source Weekly February 27, 2025.
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🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮Depraved hyper narcissistic mental patients.
Ol’ Johnny looks to be triggered. Hey, Johnny………..it’s pretty simple. Hate is exhausting. If you don’t like tomatoes……….don’t eat them. Folks like you would rather eat those tomatoes and then get all worked up over how much you hate tomatoes. Insanity.
Focus on what it is you like and, hopefully, you won’t be judged over any of it. Sadly, that isn’t the world we live in. But you can be the start of change. Give it a try. I’ll help you. “Looks like a bunch of folks not hurting anyone getting together for a good time”.
Go ahead. Try it. You’ll feel less angst. Be better. Do better.