For the past 10 years, there has been a Grays Harbor Pride Festival and the Out & Proud Grays Harbor Coalition is “super excited” to present 2023’s iteration of the fun-loving, family-friendly event.

The festival starts on Friday with a “free/pay what you can all-ages dance, Pride Prom 2023, at Events on Emerson in Hoquiam,” according to Out & Proud’s official website.

The fun continues at 1 p.m., Saturday at the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport — 500 N. Custer St., in Aberdeen. The festival will include “free, family-friendly activities, vendors, music and entertainment,” Out & Proud’s website states. The vendors and activities will operate from 1 to 5 p.m., on Saturday.

In addition to the inclusive event that welcomes everyone, this year, Mary Lambert will put on a free show from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., on Saturday. Lambert is a multi-platinum artist who identifies as a “queer singer-songwriter-poet,” according to her Instagram account.

“Everyone will be talking about this,” the website states. “Bring a chair!”

According to the website, Out & Proud is “beyond excited” to host Lambert, whom is referred to as a “PNW legend, advocate and amazing multi-platinum artist.”

“We’re not crying,” the website states. “You’re crying.”

Lambert is known for singing and writing “Same Love,” but the versatile artist writes poems, books, dances, coaches, co-hosts a podcast and stars in the new Netflix animated musical “Arlo The Alligator Boy,” the website states.

Later on in the day there will be a raffle as well.

Clinton “Dogger” Mullins showed how much fun he had when he performed at the first Grays Harbor Pride Festival with a picture of him holding his guitar while he was airborne.

“This is showing how much fun I had at the first Pride,” Mullins said. “I wore a skirt and rocked it with two drummers. Scotty Karate, who is no longer with us, and Chris Johnson backing me up. GH Pride is a great event welcoming everyone in the community to come together. My first performance at Pride was really the starting point of my career as a solo musician. It was in Hoquiam where I went to high school. I have always supported the LGBTQ community and was honored to performa at the first Pride 10 years ago.”

Starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, attendees are encouraged to stay for the Drag Show event, which Ceasar Heart — “Seattle Premier Drag King,” according to the website — will host. The show will last until 10 p.m..

The performers who are scheduled for Saturday include Alpha Q, Galaxy Harbor, Justin, Orion, Ms. Valerie, Sophia, Alexander and Delyla Dalyte — who will also present “Drag Queen Story Time” at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday.

“Amazing performers come from all over Washington to support our local LGBTQIA+ community,” the website states. “You won’t want to miss this!”

For an idea of why the festival isn’t just a party, but an important one, here’s Out & Proud’s statement.

“It is our vision to create a community where everyone can live freely without fear of violence, where our identities, relationships and families are respected, in creating a safe Harbor for all humans to express themselves free of judgement.”

The festival could not be held without its sponsors, which include Grays Harbor County Tourism, the city of Aberdeen, Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, MetMeds Pharmacy and Events on Emerson.

“We know that our sponsors and vendors are eager to join in and get us the rest of the way there,” the website states.

To view a full list of the sponsors involved in making the 10th annual Grays Harbor Pride Festival, plus more information on the festival itself, head to Out & Proud Grays Harbor Coalition’s website — opghc.com.

Music events happening around the Harbor:

Friday, Sept. 22

9 to 10:30 a.m. — Susanna Green — Nirvana Coffee Company — 205 S. I St., in Aberdeen

8 p.m. — Two For the Apocalypse (with Ty Wulf and Colin Gage) — Messy Jessy’s Bar and Grill — 212 S. I St., in Aberdeen

8 p.m. — Hollow-Hound, The Stuntmen, Of Lioness — Ashley’s Pub Haus — 710 J St., in Hoquiam

Saturday, Sept. 23

7 to 10 p.m. — Jon Reynolds — Tuggs & Chuggs — 13443 W. Cloquallum Road, in Elma

8 to 11 p.m. — Patience & James — Gepetto’s Italian Restaurant & Sports Bar — 126 E. Pioneer Ave., in Montesano

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.

Two For the Apocalypse Two For the Apocalypse (with Ty Wulf and Colin Gage) plays Messy Jessy’s Bar and Grill at 8 p.m. in Aberdeen.