The annual Miami Gay Beach Pride kicks off April 3rd at City Hall in Miami Beach with the raising of a rainbow flag and the annual Miss Miami Beach Gay Pride Pageant and Silent Auction event that takes place at Score nightclub on Washington Avenue.

On April 6, “Pride Lights the Night,” a Miami Beach Gay Pride Tribute to the victims, families, and friends of the PULSE Nightclub shooting, plans to light up Lincoln road. At 8 p.m. that night, Miami native and PULSE survivor Mario Perez is scheduled to “flip the switch” to illuminate the promenade in an assortment of rainbow colors. Starting that night over 40 buildings throughout Miami will display rainbow colors and LGBT flags during Pride 2017 as part of a larger citywide project called Pride Lights the Night. The Betsy-South Beach will be one of those participants, as they host “Pride (Poets) Light The Night,” a tribute to the victims, families, and friends of the PULSE Nightclub tragedy.

Betsy Hotel owner Jonathan Plutzik recently spoke to SFGN about what it means to participate in Pride Week 2017.

“We are proud to be participating in Pride Lights the Night – as one of more than 40 organizations that will pay homage to those that perished in Pulse; it’s so important to feel one with our community, especially at a time like this,” Plutzik said. “During our event, we’ll light up several areas of our building – the façade on Collins Avenue, our Poetry Rail (that contains the poetry of four LGBT poets), and The Betsy Orb, on which we’ll run a video with words and music that tell a powerful story about the Pulse tragedy.”

Betsy South Beach and many others are participating in the display of unity and remembrance of the victims of PULSE and their families. The Pride Lights the Night also aims illuminate the sky in a show of solidarity within the LGBT community.

Comedian, TV host and author Ross Matthews has been tabbed as the celebrity Grand Marshall of the Miami Beach Gay Pride weekend events, and “Uncle” Johnny Pool of Elvis Duran and the Morning Show fame will wear the title of Advocate Marshal. Both will make appearances from April 7 to April 9, including at the Miami Beach Gay Pride Festival that takes place Saturday, April 8 from noon to 10 p.m., and the Miami Beach Gay Pride parade that will put the cherry on top of the weekend on Sunday, April 9 from noon to 2 p.m.

Grandstand seating for the parade will be available between 11th and 12th streets on Ocean Drive. The parade will be hosted by emcees Roxanne Vargas from NBC6 and Tiffany T. Fantasia. Fantasia will provide commentary on the floats and as they pass by the seating areas.

For more information on Miami Beach Gay Pride weekend events visit MiamiBeachGayPride.com or call 305-496-7635.