“Candy-land: Taste the Rainbow”
Sunday, June 22th, Doors Open at 4:00 PM, the Pageant begins at 5:00PM
McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom
1332 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
Visibility.Education.Celebration.
These three goals - essential to the fulfillment of the Pride Northwest mission - are realized in the Portland Gay Prides Pageant. This magical evening centers the passion, artistry and talents of the contestants, culminating in the crowning of the 2025-26 Pride Family. Pageant categories include: Theme Look, Formal Wear with on stage Q&A by our hosts, and Talent.
Candy Land: Taste the Rainbow” is a fun and colorful theme that celebrates joy, imagination, and being yourself. The rainbow has been an important symbol for the LGBTQ+ community since the 1970s, when it was first used as a Pride flag to show love, hope, and diversity. Just like in Candy Land, where everyone is welcome to go on a sweet adventure, Pride is about making the world a place where everyone can be accepted and free to be who they are. This theme brings together the magic of childhood and the history of the fight for equality in a bright and playful way.
Apply for the pageant:
Pageant Guidelines & Qualifications
Eligibility and Qualifications:
All applicants must present a valid, state-issued identification that shows proof of residency.
Applicants under the age of 18 must have a legal guardian.
Applicants must be financially, morally and socially responsible.
Applications may not have prior convictions of sex crimes against minors.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Must attend and participate in the Portland Gay Pride Parade.
Must actively participate and assist when needed during Portland Gay Pride weekend.
Must be an active and positive ambassador for Pride Northwest and always maintain the best possible public image. This includes but is not limited to functions that attended in or out of regalia, as well as use of all social media platforms.
Be responsible for paying own admittance to all functions they attend except for their respective step down at the Portland Gay Pride Pageant.
Assist in the production of their respective step down, The Portland Gay Pride Pageant.
Assumption of Office, Removal & Vacancy:
The Portland Gay Pride titleholders take office upon investment at the Portland Gay Pride Pageant and shall serve until the succeeding Gay Pride Pageant, unless removed from office.
If any Portland Gay Pride titleholder fails to fulfill their responsibilities as outlined, or if their conduct damages Pride Northwest, they shall be subject to disciplinary action and/or up to removal.
For incidents above and beyond those stated above, Pride Northwest will take appropriate steps of action.
In the event of death, removal or resignation, the title will remain vacant until the next pageant.
Would you like to sponsor the pageant?
Photos from “Recipe for Success” 2024 Gay Prides Pageant
Sunday, June 9th, Doors Open at 4:00 PM, the Pageant begins at 5:00PM
Melody Event Center
615 SE Alder St, Portland, OR 97214
Portland Gay Prides Pageant
Presented by Pride Northwest, Inc.
“Recipe for Success.”
This year’s theme “A Recipe for Success” invites contestants to imagine the ingredients that make up LGBTQ2IAS+ history in creative storytelling package. Contestants will have four opportunities to wow the judges in the categories of Theme Wear, Talent, Evening Wear and Question.
