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Eustis Today
By the People, for the People
Lake County Pride to host first-ever LGBTQ+ Pride fest in deep-red Florida
The historic event aims to bring joy and visibility to the LGBTQ+ community in a conservative region.
Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:51pm
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The vibrant colors and repeated imagery of the Lake County Pride Fest's celebratory silkscreen illustration capture the joyful energy and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in a conservative region.Eustis TodayLake County Pride, a nonprofit organization in Central Florida, is hosting its first-ever LGBTQ+ Pride festival on April 26, 2026 in Eustis, a small, Republican-leaning city about 40 miles northwest of Orlando. The family-friendly event will feature food trucks, retail vendors, live music, drag performances, and a dance competition, with the goal of promoting tolerance, LGBTQ+ visibility, and creating awareness through education and outreach.
Why it matters
The Lake County Pride Fest is a significant event as it takes place in a deeply conservative area of Florida, where the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges and hostility from some segments of the population. The organizers hope the festival will help normalize diverse forms of love, joy, and being one's authentic self, at a time when some other Pride events in the state are being canceled or facing increased opposition.
The details
The Lake County Pride Fest is being organized as a family-friendly affair with a variety of food trucks and retail vendors. It's also packed with a talented array of musicians and performers, from the Orlando Gay Chorus to Orlando beloved queer singer Billy Mick, drag queen Karma Rose, and other queer artists aligned with Lake County Pride's goal of promoting tolerance, LGBTQ+ visibility, and creating 'awareness and understanding through education, outreach, and acts of service.' A dance competition is on the agenda, too.
- The Lake County Pride Fest will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026 from noon to 8 p.m.
- The event was originally planned for 2023 but was canceled at the last minute due to inclement weather.
The players
Danielle Olivani
The president and founder of Lake County Pride, the nonprofit organization hosting the event.
Addison Taylor
An LGBTQ+ advocate who served as the marketing manager of one of the event sponsors, Harmony Healthcare, and encouraged the organizers to try to put on the event again after the 2023 cancellation.
Anna Eskamani
An Orlando-area state representative and a Democrat running for Orlando mayor next year, who noted that a recently passed Florida bill could prevent local government officials from attending or participating in Pride events.
What they’re saying
“This event, Lake County Pride Fest, is truly a love letter and our way of giving back and showing our appreciation to those who have stuck by us the last seven years.”
— Danielle Olivani, President and founder of Lake County Pride
“I want young people, elders, and everyone in between to be inspired to live loudly and proudly, without fear, judgment, or persecution simply for living their truth. We want everyone to feel seen, valued, and welcome in our community.”
— Danielle Olivani, President and founder of Lake County Pride
“You can attend these events, but you can't denote that you're an elected official. I mean, it's just so silly and impossible, right? It's as if, you know, I walk into Pride, and if someone calls me mayor, I have to duck and hide.”
— Anna Eskamani, Orlando-area state representative
What’s next
Organizers are hopeful that the Lake County Pride Fest will help normalize diverse forms of love, joy, and being one's authentic self, despite facing challenges from some conservative and religious members of the community who have expressed opposition to the event.
The takeaway
The Lake County Pride Fest represents a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance in a deeply conservative region of Florida, where Pride events have faced increasing opposition. The organizers' determination to bring 'joy' to the community in the face of adversity is a testament to the resilience and importance of the LGBTQ+ community.
