5:30am | Over 80,000 people will celebrate the gay and lesbian lifestyle this weekend at Long Beach Pride 2011, a three-day event with live performances, all-day festivals and, of course, the annual parade down Ocean Boulevard.
   
Last night’s Pink Party sponsored by the Downtown Long Beach Associates kicks off the weekend. Saturday and Sunday features the Festival Celebration on Shoreline Drive from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days. The festival features seven large dance areas, including a main stage that has featured musical artists such as Grammy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson, Maya and India.Arie.

The parade draws tens of thousands of people each year. It starts at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday morning with pre-parade music and games, with the line set to get moving around 10:30 a.m. The parade route begins at Ocean and Lindero Avenue and continues down Ocean, concluding at Alamitos Avenue. Parade Central is located at Bixby Park between Cherry and Junipero avenues.

Visit LongBeachPride.com for festival information.