By Isabella Craig
With a weather forecast of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, an array of street food, local vendors, live musical performances, and a show-stopping Drag Showcase hosted by Miss Sasha Scarlett, there could not have been a more perfect Sunday to celebrate Pride.
The parade, a lively procession that started at 9:15 a.m., weaved its way through the market, beginning on the corner of NW Market St and 22nd Ave NW. TMB Brass, a New Orleans brass band based in Seattle, set the atmosphere with their soulful renditions of classics such as “I’ll Fly Away.” TMB performed throughout the parade and in Bergen Place Park before the Drag Showcase.
Throughout the market, the vendors showed off their best pride attire, ranging from rainbow jumpsuits to pride hairpins and fishnets.
Charlie’s Queer Books, a bookstore “dedicated to creating community connection through queer literature,” hosted a tent that accrued a line of book lovers looking to get their hands on the featured novels.
Guests were encouraged to visit Rough and Tumble pub after the parade, a sports bar that stands for equality and representation of women’s sports. Owner Jen Barnes appeared throughout the market, chatting with visitors and repping her pub alongside Charlie Hunt and Colleen Lindsay of Charlie’s Queer Books.
“It’s so great that in this neighborhood, there is nothing but love,” said Miss Sasha Scarlett, the Drag Showcase MC and Ballard resident. “What I love about drag is you can be any shape, age, color, or gender and still have a wonderful time.”
The Drag Showcase, held in Bergen Place Park at noon, attracted dense crowds. Miss Sasha Scarlett opened the showcase with a performance and welcomed the featured drag queens to the chalk-outlined stage. The Showcase was an all-ages event featuring hit singles by Taylor Swift and Cyndi Lauper. Volunteers passed out tiaras, silly string, and squeaking baby shark toys to the crowd between performances.
Miss Sasha Scarlett led catwalk and dance competitions, which called upon audience members to strut their stuff for prizes.
The Showcase was a vibrant celebration of pride and community, featuring six performers who brought their unique styles to the stage. Queen Marina Claire had the crowd singing along with her performance of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me.” Ember Royale, introduced by Scarlett as the “Gothic trans queen of your dreams,” got the audience dancing to her lip sync to “Love Shack” by the B-52s.
Cosmo, a 19-year-old drag queen and Miss Teen Pride of Seattle 2023-2024, performed in the Showcase and was a fan-favorite among aspiring youth. Reign Ferrah James lip-synced to “Walking on Air” by Katy Perry and danced among the audience during her performance.
Cordelia Specifically wrapped up the show with a feather boa and their performance of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper.
The drag show was a massive success in ending the day and bringing together the Ballard community for the 2nd annual Pride Parade.
Featured photo: (Left to right) Reign Ferrah James, Cordelia Specifically, Miss Sasha Scarlett, Marina Claire, Cosmo and Ember Royale. Photo by Isabella Craig
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