Orlando’s Overheard: The masses came out for Pride, new Mojoman and Fringe exit

We’re coming out

After being rescheduled from October 8 to November 12 due to Hurricane Matthew, Orlando proved that despite the move, Pride came out in full force! The Orlando Police Department estimated that over 150,000 people showed up for the parade.

The entire parade lasted nearly two hours on the new expanded route which included parts of Orange Avenue. The festival completely encompassed the entire area of Lake Eola Park, which included bars, outdoor entertainment, vendors and a kid’s zone.

Once the parade was over and the sun had set, 49 paper lanterns were lit and set afloat over Lake Eola into the Orlando night sky. Soon after, the entertainment continued at the Lake Eola bandshell, featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race entertainer Katya.

To cap off the evening, the night ended with an incredible fireworks display which was so hot it even set the fireworks barge on fire. Who says gays don’t know how to throw a party?

Ivan-Grow

A while back we mentioned a new bar would be opening in the former site of Savoy’s Locker Room, brought to you by the team that own Savoy. The newly opened Ivanhoe Craft and Packy serves craft cocktails (with a different flare from the neighboring Savoy), and offers a variety of bottles for purchase— a nice addition since the closing of the Ivanhoe Wine and Spirits.

And in the former location of the Ivanhoe Wine and Spirits comes another LGBT-owned business: MojoMan’s second store opened earlier this month.

Catering more to the after 5 p.m. crowd, the new MojoMan still features designer underwear, but will also feature some casual clothes items for the working man that couldn’t make it home before heading out for the night.

Fringe leader bids Farewell

George Wallace has been a vital asset to the Orlando International Fringe Festival, so when he announced he was leaving, there was an audible gasp in the Orlando arts community. But, we’ve been advised the transition is running smoothly and everything is still going as planned with events like the Fringe lottery drawing on December 5 and the upcoming Fringe Winter Mini-Fest in January.

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