By Charlene Dean
Pahrump is about to experience its first “gay pride” event scheduled for Aug. 19 and 20 at Saddle West. The shows regularly headline Las Vegas Clubs and are an all male drag review, as in guys dressed as gals.
Saddle West Marketing Manager Christine Grevitch said, “We’re testing the waters to see if we want to do this again. This is a slow time of year for the community, and for Saddle West. We look at this event as a way of bringing a new group of people to the town and a new group of Las Vegas people to town that would not normally come here.” The pride reviews in Las Vegas have a large following of both gay and straight fans.
Saddle West has put together an accommodations package for visitors that includes two breakfast buffets and two well drinks with a two-night stay.
The activities will include a dance party with DJ Danny G, beginning at 8 p.m. Two shows are on tap. Big Wigs Drag Show will stage at 10 p.m. Friday, in the showroom. Diana Prince and Friends Drag It Out will begin at 9 p.m. Saturday. The “Say Something Hat Day” will feature a T-dance and pool party from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Pride Bingo will start at 7 p.m.
Admission to the Pride Bingo will be a $15 buy-in, the rest of the shows and events are free.
Grevitch said while folks are in town supporting the gay event, they will shop, buy gas, eat in our restaurants and generally support the economy.
The Saddle West website has pointed visitors to golfing opportunities, the Pahrump Winery, Death Valley, China Ranch, the Amargosa Opera House, Tecopa Hot Springs and other tourist attractions which could benefit from tourism.
Because it will be a first for Pahrump and may create controversy, Grevitch said Saddle West will have more security on premises should there be any adverse incidents. “This event is open to everyone,” Grevitch said. There will be special entertainment and gambling events.” She said generally speaking the feedback for Pahrump Pride has been positive, but not everyone shares enthusiasm.
I use to live in Pahrump, I grew up in Nevada, and I wish I could make it to this event. Pahrump needs the tourism, and to welcome the 21st century with open arms! I’m jealous of all the awesome people who get to go! PLUR
greetings after reading all these neg comments make me wonder should i cancel my trip to your town and just wait for the pride event in las vegas.Us three, me and my two friends who are partners have never been in Pahrump, and of course we love to gamble, go out to eat and spend money and site see. We have a budget of 750.00 dollars each to spend and gamble (hope to win some back).I suppose your town have other tourist that can make up the difference if we should cancel our trip due to so called protests and sick outs at the casino. thank you mark
it was a super event and 3 cheers to saddle west…everyone had a great time and i heard no complaints. please please do it again.
I wish I had been in town for it too. After reading these comments I’m gonna have to rethink moving there. My God what is wrong with you bigots? Look around and you’ll see gay people teaching your children, gay people in health care, we are everywhere. The native americans help in high honor the “gay” people in their tribes. Get over it. I must have been wrong thinking that people in Pahrump were open minded. Especially those of you that have relocated there.
I have lived in Pahrump for 2 months now. I am not gay, nor do I see the allure to that life style. However, being a combat veteran, I still believe in the old saying,”I may not like what you do or say, but I will fight to the death for your right to do so.” And to all of the self righteous religious zealots, don’t think I feel any differently about you. You have you extreme 10 percent that give you all a bad name…. Westboro Baptist Church, anyone? It’s the same for gays. So long as I don’t have to see a bunch of naked deviants doing unspeakable acts in public, I don’t care. What you do behind closed doors is your business so long as it doesn’t impede the rights of others. Don’t shove your lifestyle down my throat and you will receive the same respect from me. So what if a few gays want to contribute some money to our local economy? Every honest buck brought in some way will help. The only thing I didn’t care for was the Saddlewest taking down the flag of the five branches of the military and replacing it with a rainbow flag.