WPTV Connects with Crowds at Palm Beach Pride Festival

Despite soggy weather, hundreds gathered to celebrate LGBTQ+ community and share concerns with local news team.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The WPTV news team spent an afternoon at the Palm Beach Pride Festival in Lake Worth Beach, connecting with attendees and hearing their thoughts on community issues ranging from HIV awareness to traffic problems. The annual festival drew a large crowd despite rainy conditions, with participants highlighting positive stories like a local LGBTQ+ theater production as well as ongoing challenges facing the community.

Why it matters

The Palm Beach Pride Festival is a major annual event that brings together the local LGBTQ+ community and allies. WPTV's on-the-ground coverage provides valuable insight into the concerns and perspectives of attendees, helping to elevate underrepresented voices and inform the station's future reporting.

The details

WPTV reporters Todd Wilson, T.A. Walker, Vannia Joseph and Michael Hoffman spoke with numerous festival-goers, including members of the Palm Beach County HIV Care Council who emphasized the need for continued awareness around HIV/AIDS, especially among older residents. Attendees also shared frustrations about traffic issues in the area, with one local resident noting the problems have worsened since nearby construction began. On a more positive note, one participant highlighted a local LGBTQ+-focused theater production called 'Our Family Pride' that celebrates coming-out stories and family acceptance.

  • The Palm Beach Pride Festival took place on a soggy Sunday in late March 2026.
  • WPTV's 'Let's Hear It' event at the festival occurred that same afternoon.

The players

Lia Head-Rigby

A member of the Palm Beach County HIV Care Council who discussed the high rates of HIV cases among older residents in the county.

Thomas James

A local resident who expressed frustration with traffic issues along Boynton Beach Boulevard and Interstate 95 near the festival site.

Glen Evelyn

A local resident who directed, produced and starred in the LGBTQ+-focused theater production 'Our Family Pride'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I can tell you officially, 62% of the (HIV) cases in Palm Beach County are age 50 and up. Yes, that's an issue.”

— Lia Head-Rigby, Palm Beach County HIV Care Council member

“Ever since they started construction, I avoid that area as much as possible now because it's so frustrating. Investigate the traffic pattern and adjust the light because it backs up all the way to I-95. And I'm sure there's been an accident from that.”

— Thomas James, Local resident

“And it shows this journey, not just of this man late in life coming out, but it shows the journey of the family coming together, standing together as a family.”

— Glen Evelyn, Local resident and theater producer

What’s next

WPTV plans to continue its 'Let's Hear It' event series, with the next one scheduled for an upcoming community festival or gathering. The station encourages viewers to email LetsHearIt@wptv.com with any issues or concerns they would like the news team to investigate.

The takeaway

The Palm Beach Pride Festival provides an important platform for the local LGBTQ+ community to come together, celebrate their identities, and share their perspectives on a range of issues impacting their daily lives. WPTV's on-the-ground coverage gives a voice to underrepresented residents and helps the station better understand and serve the diverse needs of its audience.