Under the vibrant banner of “Together We Are Unlimited,” the 3rd Annual Riverside’s Inland Empire Pride took over White Park on May 10, 2025, transforming the heart of downtown Riverside into a joyous, colorful celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, resilience, and community. The festival brought together hundreds of attendees for a full day of live performances, empowering workshops, and unapologetic self-expression.

This year’s event doubled down on its mission to blend entertainment with education, offering not only music and drag artistry but also a robust series of workshops aimed at informing and activating attendees. Despite extraordinarily high temperatures, the heat didn’t keep the crowds—or the queens—away. Attendees packed the park, and drag performers, unflinching in full glam, battled the swelter to give 100% to every number, proving that resilience is just part of the gig when it comes to Pride.

Over at the Stonewall Stage, a day of information and education was planned for everyone in attendance. The afternoon kicked off with Drag Queen Story Time, a whimsical and affirming experience hosted by queens Athena Monet Kills, Scalene OnixXx, and Kelly K Doll, sponsored by Cellar Door Bookstore. This family-friendly session centered queer joy and literacy, captivating children and adults alike with tales of individuality and acceptance.

At 2 PM, the ACLU SoCal presented “Know Your Rights: Protecting LGBTQ+ Folks and Trans Lives Under Attack,” a deeply relevant panel that covered legal rights in education, healthcare, and public life—crucial topics amidst rising legislative threats nationwide.

Throughout the afternoon, panels like “From Protest to Policy” (led by the Riverside County Student Safety Coalition) and “Cut, Paste, Resist: The Queer History of Zines” (with the Riverside Public Library) reminded attendees that Pride is not just a party—it’s a movement. The day wrapped with “Transcending Labels: Understanding the Trans Experience,” a powerful conversation featuring trans advocates sharing personal journeys and strategies for resilience.

Drag performers were a major highlight of the festival, with standout appearances by Athena Kills, the 2025 Resident Queen and festival host, and Jazmyn Simone-Échelon, the fierce and magnetic evening emcee. Drag king Justyn Caze, show-stopper Kelly K Doll, and beloved storyteller Scalene OnixXx all brought glamour and power to the stage, captivating crowds with every look and performance.

Also gracing the festival were Nebuer Styles and Sa’Hara, two powerhouse performers known for their electrifying stage presence and community leadership. Whether through comedy, dance, or raw emotion, each queen reminded the audience of drag's unique ability to inspire and unify.

The headline act of the night was none other than Valentina, the celebrated drag performer, singer, and actor known for her glamorous aesthetic and captivating stage presence. With breakout roles on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Drag Race All Stars, and performances in Rent: Live and La Usurpadora: The Musical, Valentina brought Hollywood polish and Latinx pride to Riverside. Identifying as nonbinary and using she/her pronouns, Valentina dazzled the crowd, reminding everyone why she remains a powerful icon in queer entertainment.

Other main stage acts included Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, the world’s first LGBTQ+ mariachi ensemble, and genre-blending indie pop artist Sofya Wang, who brought high emotion and energy to her set. Rock and soul fusion band Beaux Gris Gris and the Apocalypse delivered an electrifying, theatrical set that had the crowd dancing under the Riverside sun. Also featured were singer-songwriter Rochone, dancer-activist Robert Rene, and the fierce women of Sirens Rhythm Beatz, promoting body positivity and empowerment through movement.

The Pride Stage was kept lively by DJs DJ Pinochio and KJ Moochie, with the latter hosting a high-energy karaoke hour that had the crowd singing along and showing off their vocal chops.

Riverside Pride continues to assert itself as not just a festival but a civic movement. Their Advocacy Network table informed attendees about the June 24, 2025, Special Election for California’s Assembly District 63, urging the community to vote for representatives who uplift LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. Volunteers circulated petitions, handed out voter registration info, and encouraged attendees to join future advocacy efforts at riverside.lgbt/advocacy.

The festival also featured a Youth Zone in partnership with Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance, ensuring young attendees had a safe and affirming space to explore identity and build community. Vendors, food trucks, local organizations, and artists filled the park with offerings, from queer-owned crafts to vital health resources.

As the heat of the day turned to the cool breezes of the night and the festival came to an end, Riverside Pride 2025 stood as a testament to what happens when visibility, advocacy, and celebration intertwine. The day was more than just a festival—it was a living, breathing act of protest, resistance, and joy.