🌈The Second Annual Lodi Pride Festival 2022 | Hannabal Marie🌈

(Source: A New Lodi)

 Hello ladies and gents, I have a lovely little post today for you to gawk upon.
Celebrating their 2nd annual Pride Festival, A New Lodi returned to celebrate love, compassion and equality like never before. This festival was everything I dreamed it would be, considering me and my brother missed out on the first one last year because of Covid. But let me just tell you, this year was LOUD AND PROUD, BABY!

June 4th came with glitz, glam and absolute GORGEOUSNESS!
So many beautiful faces, gorgeous ladies and stunning fellas! All dressed to impress and steal hearts~
I'm so happy to see my little town grow and evolve into a beautiful safe haven for unique, talented and jaw-dropping individuals that make a day feel like home. Living in Lodi for more than 30+ years, I can promise you--it was never like this before. Growing up confused as to whom I was and where I could fit in, this town didn't help a DemiRomantic/Pansexual like me. (Doesn't help that i'm also a Witch Goblin!!) Being "Teased" is an understatement, coming from such a stubbornly impaired neighborhood of bible thumpers and religious nutcases using god to fuel their own self hatred and ugliness.

 

 I have heard and seen it all. A few good friends of mine have either resulted to self harm, su*c*de or constant bullying because of being gay. How could something as beautiful as love result to death? I have told myself that constantly throughout my many years in Lodi. 

(Source: its1221 on FB)

Taking an excerpt from The Stockton Record:

“Nobody expected the pride festival to pop up in this city when usually pride festivals only happen in big cities like Stockton, San Francisco, LA you know the pride festivals are like a big city thing," said Kathleen Ellis, Lodi Pride Festival coordinator, A New Lodi Organization executive founding board member.

"But the very fact that Lodi needs it so much is very much the reason why we're having it here.”

Ellis said she experienced retaliation herself for coming out in Lodi as an adult. She said it’s a common narrative in Lodi for adults in their 30s to remain closeted and coming out not being an option for them.

“We've heard the rhetoric of Lodi being antiquated and it keeps a lot of diversity away. Gay people move away from here. People of color stay away from here,” Ellis said.

Lodi needed a change, Ellis said and she wanted to make a change, so she used her voice and resources to do so.

“I feel like I'm just trying to expedite the process and help these people in my community who have it within them to accept one another exactly how they are without hiding any part of their true colors,” Ellis said. --You can read the rest HERE!

(Source: A New Lodi)

 

Apparently, last year was around 1,700 but I can't be sure for certain. I know that this year was doubled (if not, TRIPLED) in comparison, just by photos alone. I had such a great time; met so many amazing individuals, watched some fantastic Drag performances, tipped all the performers, heard some talented live musicians, met some local celebrities, BONKED SNOOTS OF PRIDE LOVING PUPPIES, bought a beautiful rainbow tee to support our Pride festival, obtained so many freebies/goodies, joined the raffle, took a TON of photos with so many smiling faces and enjoyed a tasty Spun Sugar Rainbow Drink from Gingerbugs! It was a day for the books, of that I am certain! VIVA LA PRIDE~

Enough with my rambling, allow me to show you the festivities and the LEWK me and my brother wore! Enjoy your stay~

(Click below to continue reading~)

Upon entering the area, we were asked if we needed some waters by this lovely lady~ 

I personally loved the balloon archway and greeting~

We kindly asked if we could capture this happy little pup.

Some people enjoying the outside show while dining.

So many beautiful people waltz past us as we made our entrance.

My dad laughing it up with fellow fest goers!

 

Lovely flag and a lovely eyeball purse!!!

Truly loved the Drag Show, sadly--my capturing device didn't get to snap too many photos of everyone.

I love when props and confetti sprinkle the air~

This queen was such an icon~

Loved her shirt. Had to snap a picture of it.

The Drag lineup.

All of the Queens and Kings deserve so much love for their hard work.

All of the performers strutted their stuff around the crowds,
taking photo ops and enjoying a simple chat.

Clive Maxx had such a phenomenal performance. It definitely was a must see!

A real life angel walking among us.

Turning heads in this Gothic fit~

I loved that Pride had this adorable little photo op prop up for us.

I can't lie, I loved my side profile in this photo. lol

Had to take some shots for me, as well.

See how I said "shots," cuz I took a few. Why not? lol

"It's bad bitch o'clock...Yeah, it's THICK thirty."

These random photos my mom took of me really made my whole damn festival.

Me strutting my stuff around the town. lol

I look good enough to eat~

Fixing my hairdo because gloss and wigs don't mix. lol

Me and my brother MEAT got some professional shots taken of us by A New Lodi.

More!

MORE! MORE! I said; "You gotta get one of my good side!"

Pyro_The_Foxx was adorable~

Of course I had to take a photo with Clive Maxx!

I was FLOORED by this beauty. Miss Shiksa!!

Turning heads in this little number I call--Divine Pride

Checking the lashes, girls.

You. Can. Call. Me. Mother.

This adorable little Goblin Mushroom was such a doll~ Check out ThatGoblinBunny

(Source: A New Lodi)

Had to take a photo with this beauty.

Another with Shiksa because I FREAKING ADORE HER!

I HAD TO TAKE A PHOTO WITH THE QUEEN OF ALL QUEENS,
MISS HELLEN F*CKING HEELS.

We betta WERQ

The rainbow Graffiti was everythinggggg

We make a great team! lol

Be gone before I drop this ass on you. lol

Coming to snatch them snacks.

I got a ribbon, I felt so fucking goodddddd

Some raffle goodies for the winners~
(Source: A New Lodi)

Hellen Heels and a cute little rainbow puppy.
(Source: A New Lodi)

Such a gorgeous voice!!! Check out Lolah Nguyen!!!!

This performance was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!
YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT BIJOU BENTLEY!!!!
(Source: A New Lodi)

I loved this flyer I seen on a table. Such words to live by~
(Source: Breakthrough Project For Social Justice)

Another beautiful shot of Hellen Heels~

I had to share the next following images because these really spoke to me. This was the kid area and JUST LOOK AT THE LOVE AND SUPPORT!!! SUCH A BEAUTIFUL THING TO SEE!
(Source: Park And Read Lodi)

Look at the love in her face. It proves it, children are NOT born with hate--they are TAUGHT it.
(Source: Park And Read Lodi)

Park and Read Lodi had their own little spot up. Just look at the free books for the children!!!
(Source: Park And Read Lodi)

Couldn't forget to add this cutie. Just look at the happy little face!
(Source: Park And Read Lodi)

 

Don't forget to boop the snoot.
(Source: Park And Read Lodi)

 

THE FIT~
The following section here will be a much needed ego boost.
So basically, just a ton of shots of me because DAMN MA, YOU LOOK GOOD! AHHHHH!!

Getting ready~

You wanted two helpings of MAMA

You Gotta...

...Kiss...

...The Girl.

This Mask was hand painted by moi~
You best believe imma photo flood your sh*t with this! lol

Some WIP photos.

That gold tone, tho~

 

I took a few without the wig, too.

The wig makes the look, though.

These contacts!!!!! AHHH!!! <3

Not gonna lie, I freakin' love how this mask makes my lips look.

Ahhh~

You rang~

BEETCH

 

Those rainbow lashes!!! <3

I stacked some lashes to create these thick bois~

 

I'm sorry but I fucking LOVE MY FACE! <3 

The last one, I promise you. lol

THE LOOT
This section is, you guessed it, a place to post about the things I got from the fest.
A little bragging never hurt anyone~ lol

Apparently my little town has drag shows every wednesday! I'm so HYPE!

The green pride bracelet for the festival~

I got this cute little rainbow pride flag pin to add to my pin jacket~
I've actually been looking for the perfect pride pin AND I FOUND HER! <3

We also got 4x physical copies of photos to take home with us! I love this soooo much!

You'll don't understand. Comicon, Zombie Walks, Etc...they would have requested payments for any/all of these things I got for free here. whattttttt????? <3

That face of mine...looking a little wonky but ya know what? THAT'S WHY I LOVE IT SO MUCH! 

I also got this handmade bracelet for free, too. I'm wearing this until I die.
Someone's gonna have to cut this off of my dead cold wrist. lol

I did, however, buy a few items. One I already drank--it was a spun sugar rainbow drink (it was gorgeous but I was too hot to take a photo! lol) and this Rainbow "Lodi Pride" Tee, to support the festival and to show off my support around town! FUCK YEAH!! 

I actually needed a good Rainbow Tee, so it was a win-win situation!

I actually had to snag what flags they had left--I'm not either of these flags, personally. I really wanted a Progress Rainbow Flag and a Demisexual/Demiromantic flag but all they had left were Bi and Asexual. lol

All the goodies I snagged at my first pride in Lodi. Pretty good, if I do say so myself.
OH I also got bubbles, a keychain of Hand Sanitizer and some pamphlets of our local governor for voting. (Not pictured)

 

AFTERWORD
Thank you for reaching the end of my post.
In conclusion, A New Lodi's Pride Fest was absolutely superb, I definitely enjoyed my time there.
I look forward to the next year and the years to come! 

As I said already and will continue to say:
VIVA LA PRIDE

XOXO
HANNABAL MARIE