Napa Celebrates LGBTQ Pride Month in June

 This June, Napa lodging properties and downtown merchants will celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month through a variety of activities that engages the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) visitor.

Street banners will be displayed throughout Downtown Napa and a variety of events will take place during the entire month of June.

LGBTQ Pride Month in Napa will come to a conclusion with a performance from Emmy, Tony and Peabody Award winner, Lily Tomlin. 

“Napa’s hotels and bed and breakfasts warmly welcome LGBTQ travelers throughout the year, and especially in the month of June when there is a wide variety of events and attractions focused on LGBTQ guests,” said Clay Gregory, president and CEO of Visit Napa Valley.

 “In addition to near-perfect weather, Napa offers some of the Valley's best spots to eat and plenty of places to hang out and have a glass of wine or beer, enjoy concerts or theater, and the downtown area’s lively scene,” Gregory said.

Others in the community agree.

“Napa’s diversity and flavor involves not only our food, wine and entertainment, but the people that live, work, play and visit,” said Jamie Cherry, treasurer of the Napa Tourism Improvement District and owner/proprietor of The Inn on First.

“Our downtown will showcase LGBTQ Pride Month in June with beautiful street banners and events, but every day is an opportunity to celebrate Napa’s diversity,” Cherry added.

In honor of Pride Month, Napa Mayor Jill Techel on Tuesday declared June 14 through 23 as "Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride Week."

The official proclamation read that “the City of Napa urges our fellow residents and city leaders to join in this annual celebration, promoting visibility of and connection among Napa’s LGBTQ people and allies for the greater good of our entire city.”

Napa is ranked one of the top 20 places to visit according to an annual Gay and Lesbian Travel Survey by San Francisco-based Community Marketing, Inc.

The Department of Commerce tourism statistics estimates LBGT tourism generates more than $65 billion a year in the U.S. alone.

The “Napa Pride” banners, which may be seen on First and Main Streets in Downtown Napa, were funded and installed by the Napa Tourism Improvement District.

In addition, a variety of events will occur during LGBT Pride Month in June:

-- On June 16, Alexis Baking Company, located at 1517 Third St., will be hosting Big Gay Bingo from 3 to 6 p.m. and proceeds from the event will be donated to the following organizations: Planned Parenthood, GSA Network, LGBTQ Connection Napa, Napa Valley Unity League and PFLAG Napa.

Space is limited, so early arrival is recommended. Prize bags will be awarded during the event and San Francisco Comedian Carrie Avritt will be calling the bingo numbers while ABC joins the excitement by selling delicious food and drinks.

Bingo cards for six games will be sold for $20 and additional card sets will be available for $10.

on June 17, Carpe Diem Wine Bar, located at 1001 Second St., will be hosting Pre-Film Warm-Up from 5 to 7 p.m. Carpe Diem will have outdoor and bar seating and will be honoring happy hour menus until 6 p.m.

Guests mentioning they are with LGBTQ Pride will receive complimentary truffle popcorn. Following the Pre-Film Warm-up event, enjoy the screening of “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” taking place at the Napa Valley Opera House at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available for $10 per person. To purchase tickets, visit the Napa Valley Opera House box office, located at 1030 Main Street, or visit their website, www.nvoh.org.  

On June 18, at the regular Tuesday Locals’ Night at Oxbow Public Market, from 5 to 9 p.m., Oxbow will be celebrating Locals’ Pride Night.

Merchants will be hosting various specials that evening in honor of Pride Month and Locals’ Night.

On June 19, downtown Napa’s Bistro Sabor, located at 1126 First St., will be adding a pride twist to their weekly trivia nights.

From 8 to 11 p.m., experience Big Gay Trivia Night as categories will include questions from LGBT pop culture, history of the LGBT community, and more.

Bring a team of up to five friends, or come solo and join a team.

On June 6, 13 and 20, locals and tourists will enjoy the Downtown Napa Association’s weekly Chefs’ Market event, taking place on First Street between Main and Franklin Streets, and this time, in honor of LGBT Pride Month.

From 5 to 9 p.m., guests can experience live cooking demonstrations, wine tasting and delicious food.

The Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride table will be set up and guests are encouraged to visit the booth to purchase pride lanyards and raffle tickets.

Following Chef’s Market on Thursday, June 20, Uva Trattoria Italiana and bar will be hosting a Post-Market Meet-Up.

Join friends and family for delicious libations from Uva’s menu.

On Sunday June 23, at 8 p.m. LBGTQ Pride Month events will culminate with a performance from Emmy, Tony and Peabody Award winner, Lily Tomlin, at Uptown Theatre Napa, located at 1350 Third St. 

Tomlin will provide the audience with a wise and funny experience as she showcases more than a dozen of her timeless characters.

Tickets are available starting at $65 per person and can be purchased through Uptown Theatre Napa’s website www.uptowntheatrenapa.com,
Ticketmaster.com or at the Uptown Theatre box office.

 For more information about entertainment and events in Napa and to plan your trip, visit www.DoNapa.com. Follow Do Napa on Twitter @NapaDowntown and Like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/downtownnapa.