By: Wendy Weitzel, for Davis Phoenix Coalition
Musical performer Ada Vox will be the headline performer at the 2025 Davis PrideFest on June 7. The event is just one of a month’s worth of local activities to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride, including a fun run, skate and comedy nights, and plenty of drag queens.
The activities share the theme “Forever Loud and Proud!”
The 11th annual Davis PrideFest is at Civic Center Park, at Sixth and B streets, behind Davis City Hall. The community-focused, family-friendly event includes a music festival, resources, vendors, food, drinks and more – from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 7.
Ada Vox was a semi-finalist in ABC’s “American Idol” in 2018, and the runner up in 2022 on the Paramount+ drag queen singing competition “Queen of the Universe.” She performed at the 2022 Davis Pride event. The San Antonio-based singer lists her influences as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin and Patti Labelle. Notable performances include The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun,” Jennifer Holiday’s “And I am Telling You I am Not Going,” and Journey’s “Open Arms.” She was the first drag queen to make the “American Idol” Top 8.
Northern California activist folk duo Emma’s Revolution will also bring their truth-telling lyrics and melodies to the 2025 Davis PrideFest. “For more than 20 years, Emma’s Revolution has written about critical issues happening in the world, lending their voices to the movements those issues inspire, and delivering moving, uplifting performances. Their songs have been praised by Pete Seeger, covered by Holly Near, featured on NPR’s ‘All Things Considered’ and Pacifica’s ‘Democracy Now!,’ and sung around the world,” their website says. Band members Pat Humphries and Sandy O. are queer and non-conforming women who work on the front lines of social justice movements.
Organizers have a great lineup of performers and activities scheduled, with returning entertainment including the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus, the marching band Noise Violation and the always popular Drag Revue. There will be activity zones for children, teens and seniors. The event is free but donations are welcome. The title sponsors are Dignity Health and Woodland Clinic Medical Group.
Food trucks include Authentic Street Taco, Hefty Gyros, Sahara Kebab, Street Philly Truck, Bubble Hive, Kona Ice and NikNek Lemonade. Vegetarian options will be available.
The following day, Sunday, June 8, is the Run for Equality, starting at 8 a.m. It includes a 5K and 1K run/walk from Central Park, at Fourth and C streets, downtown Davis. The run is the fundraiser that makes the festival possible. Registration is $35 until May 26, $40 from May 27 to June 7, and $45 on race day. Visit davispride.org/run.
Saturday, June 14, is Skate with Pride. The night will include a disc jockey, disco lights and food trucks from 7 to 9 p.m. Skating will be under the Davis Farmers Market Pavilion in Central Park, Fourth and C streets, in downtown Davis. Participants bring roller or in-line skates and wear colorful attire, skating to lively music. This event is also free, with donations welcome.
On Thursday, June 19, Dunloe Brewing Co. will be the venue for Drink with Pride and Drag Trivia, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 1606 Olive Drive in Davis. Trivia is $15 to enter.
The fun continues Friday, June 27 for Davis Pride Comedy Night, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Stonegate Country Club, 919 Lake Blvd. Presented by Laughs on the Lake, tickets are $40 through June 8, $60 June 9-26, and $75 on June 27, with VIP experiences available. Visit davispride.org/comedy to see the lineup and purchase tickets.
To set the tone for Pride Month, volunteers will paint rainbow crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park between 6 and 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 25.
The Davis Pride committee is happy to help businesses show their colors and promote their pride events for June. Email admin@davisphoenixco.org for a poster.
June is International LGBTQ+ Month. Davis Pride events are coordinated by an all-volunteer community formed by the Davis Phoenix Coalition, a nonprofit that works to foster diversity, eliminate intolerance, prevent hate-motivated violence, and support LGBTQ+ youths in Davis and surrounding communities. The coalition was founded in the aftermath of a 2013 anti-gay attack on Davis resident “Mikey” Partida. Proceeds from Davis Pride events fund the coalition’s anti-racism and anti-bullying campaigns, support to LGBTQ+ youths and their families, and outreach with area police departments, churches and schools. To donate, go to davisphoenixco.org/donate.
For more information about the event, or becoming a sponsor, exhibitor or volunteer, visit davispride.org. To learn details as they unfold, follow Davis Pride on Facebook and Instagram.
BOX:
Davis Pride events
- May 25: Volunteers will paint rainbow crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park, from 6 to 9 a.m.
- June 5: Sing with Pride at the UC Davis Mondavi Center, 7 p.m.
- June 7: Pride is a Protest rally, Central Park, downtown Davis, 2 to 3 p.m.
- June 7: The 11th annual Davis PrideFest, a community fair and music festival, from 3 to 8 p.m. in Civic Center Park, Sixth and B streets
- June 8: The 11th annual Run/Walk for Equality, 8 a.m. to noon from Central Park
- June 14: Skate with Pride, 7 to 9 p.m. in Central Park
- June 19: Drink with Pride trivia night 6 to 9 p.m. at Dunloe Brewing Co., 1606 Olive Drive
- June 27: Davis Pride Comedy Night presented by Laughs on the Lake, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Stonegate Country Club, 919 Lake Blvd.
###
CAPTION:
Ada Vox publicity photo 2025: Ada Vox was a Top 8 contestant on ABC’s “American Idol,” and runner up in 2022 on the Paramount+ drag queen singing competition “Queen of the Universe.” (Courtesy photo)
