The parties often start late, some at 11:00pm and do not end until shortly before sunrise. Tickets to the mainly alcohol-free events can be over $75 with discounts available for multiple party tickets.
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They are hosted and run by local and traveling companies who set up large, elaborate sound systems, light shows, and hire well-known professional DJ's. The most promoted, for obvious commercial reasons, are the circuit parties. Memorial Day Weekend in Pensacola consists of two types of activities.
The BP oil spill also affected the event's growth and offerings following that 2010 disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Area recovery from these severe weather disasters dampened the event for a few years. The weekend celebration was at a peak until Hurricane Ivan hit during 2004, followed just months later by Hurricane Dennis. In the mid-1990s, New Orleans bar-owner Johnny Chisholm took over events after purchasing the non-defunct LGBT bar Emerald City. In the late-1980s, Atlanta's Steve Berman began to host circuit parties and the event continued to grow. The idea of a summer gather rejuvenated in the early 80s being focused at the beginning of the summer during Memorial Day weekend.
Events there included impersonations, skits, drag queen performances, and a male beauty pageant, Mr. This group, also known as the Emma Jones Society, hosted this gather during the years, which during the late 1960s and early 1970s was held at the San Carlos Hotel (since demolished) in downtown Pensacola. Until the mid-1970s the gathering was held during Fourth of July weekend. The summer event has roots back to the 1960s.Įmma Jones Society on Independence Day Ī local gay couple invited a group of gay friends to the beach for Independence Day. 1.1 Emma Jones Society on Independence Day.