Here’s your guide to Pride Week in Anchorage

PrideFest started as a small parade through downtown Anchorage. Forty years later, it has grown into a weeklong celebration of the LGBTQ community.

"Businesses and corporations are now acknowledging their staff and individuals are LGBT," said Alaska Pride chair Shelby Wilson.

"This year really points to the fact that our community is no longer in the closet celebrating. For us to have grown as big and as large as we have, to have so much community, is beyond what we could've imagined."

Originally organized by the Imperial Court of All Alaska, the festival is now headed by Identity. Inc., the state's biggest LGBTQ community nonprofit.

Wilson started out as a volunteer coordinator for PrideFest in 2012, but eventually ended up getting more involved by managing PrideFest vendors before becoming the chair of the Pride festival in 2015.

PrideFest has some signature events, including a parade, festival on the park, film series, storytelling session and drag queen bingo.

Most Pride festivals in the Lower 48 only take place on the weekend, Wilson said. But here in Anchorage, events hosted by Alaska Pride will take place all over the city between June 17-June 24.

Many events, such as the kickoff barbecue at The Raven and lube wrestling, have become PrideFest institutions. Beyond the Closet, another PrideFest favorite, will return for its third year. Wilson called the storytelling series a "huge addition" to Pride Week. This year's edition, "Beyond the Closet III: FabulousForty" will host eight storytellers sharing their experiences as LGBT community members in the '70s, '80s, '90s and today.

"This year's show takes you through and tells you what each generation had to go through in their 20s coming out and what it meant to them," Wilson said.

Pride, said Wilson, allows LGBT Alaskans to show the world that they are not only proud of where they've come from, but where they're headed in the future.

"It allows us to express ourselves in the most visible, public and organized way within our community," Wilson said.

Saturday, June 17

Stories from 'Beyond the Closet'

Beyond the Closet is an annual Pride storytelling session. This year's theme, FabulousForty, features four stories from different decades. Storytellers from the '70s, '80s, '90s and today will share the trials and triumphs of the LGBT community. Hear stories of coming out, resistance and emotional ups and downs. This is a family-friendly event. 6-9 p.m. 49th State Brewing Co., 717 W. Third Ave. $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

The MGA Pageant

Extravagance is what it's all about at the annual Mr/Ms/Miss/Mister Gay Alaska Pageant. Contestants from all around Alaska will be there for a night of stepping out and showing off with the Imperial Court of All Alaska. This is a 21-and-over event. 9-11:30 p.m. Mad Myrna's, 530 E. Fifth Ave. Tickets $10.

Sunday, June 18

Pride memorial gathering

PrideFest is a time of celebration, but every year Identity sets aside time for mourning. The memorial honors those lost in the UpStairs Lounge flash fire of 1973, believed to be the largest killing of LGBTQ people in U.S. history until the 2016 mass shooting at Orlando's gay nightclub Pulse. The names of the first 29 Alaskans who died of HIV/AIDS will also be read in remembrance. There will be a memorial ceremony followed by a reading of the names of LGBT individuals who have been killed or committed suicide. 2 p.m. Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery, northeast corner, Fifth Avenue and Fairbanks Street. Free.

Disco BBQ kickoff

It's not PrideFest without a barbecue at The Raven. Celebrate 40 years of Pride with America's northernmost gay bar (that's right — beating Mad Myrna's by a block). Dress to impress in your best disco outfit and enter for a chance to win costume and door prizes. Dance the night away, and have some barbecue to go along with your cocktails. Reminder: The Raven is a cash-only bar. This is a 21-and-over event. 4-10 p.m. The Raven, 708 E. Fourth Ave. Free.

Monday, June 19

Pride FilmFest

This annual film festival hosted by Bear Tooth Theatrepub and Identity Inc. celebrates inclusivity and diversity with a double-feature presentation. "Kiki" is a 2016 documentary following LGBTQ youth-of-color in New York City. "3 Generations" is a 2015 film following a transgender teen's female-to-male transition and his quest for acceptance from his mother and grandmother. 5:30-11 p.m. Bear Tooth Theatrepub, 1230 W. 27th Ave. $4-$22.

Pride ride

Be active in your community while getting active on your bike. Anchorage Cycle presents the Ride for Change, a bike ride celebrating and embracing the LGBTQ community of Alaska. This is a donation-based cycling class benefiting Identity Inc. and the 40th annual PrideFest. Space is limited. 6:30.-7:15 p.m. Anchorage Cycle, 2610 Spenard Road. $20 suggested donation.

Youth Arts Showcase (Y.A.S.)

Y.A.S.! Check out what local young talents are up to at a special variety show featuring visual and performance art from local LGBTQ youth. Proceeds from the show will benefit Identity Inc.'s youth program. 7-9 p.m. The Alaska Experience Theatre, 3633 W. Fourth Ave. $10.

Tuesday, June 20

Rainbow Run

Anchorage Front Runners and Alaska Women's Health will join forces with Snow City Cafe and Identity Inc. for a colorful and positive 5K fun run. Whether you're walking or sprinting, prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed Rainbow Run contestant. The run will be followed by a barbecue. 6-9 p.m. Ship Creek Trail, Meyer Street and Richmond Avenue. $25 registration fee.

Wednesday, June 21

Lube Wrestling

A tradition as old as Pride itself. Lube wrestling is Alaska Pride's wildest annual event and hosted by The Last Frontier Men's Club. Place bids on your favorite wrestlers and enter for a chance to lube up the boys. This is a free event for those over the age of 21. Wrestler entree fees will support Identity Inc. 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. The Raven, 708 E. Fourth Ave. Free.

Thursday, June 22

Drag Queen Bingo

One of the most popular events of PrideFest returns for another night of competition and hilarity. Daphne DoAll LaChores hosts a special bingo night with drag queens and prizes. Only 200 tickets are available for this 21-and-over event. Be part of one of Alaska Pride's most beloved events. 7 p.m. Williwaw, 619 F St. $30.

Friday, June 23

Mad Myrna's presents Friday Night Divas

If there's one thing the LGBTQ community knows how to do, it's have fun. Mad Myrna's hosts their weekly Friday Night Divas Variety Show, with this special PrideFest edition featuring the "best of the best" drag divas in Alaska. Singing, dancing and karaoke crooning queens will take over the Myrna's ballroom for the night. 9 p.m. Friday, June 23. Mad Myrna's, 530 E. Fifth Ave. $5 at the door.

Saturday, June 24

Equality Parade

Alaska's annual celebration of LGBTQ individuals began 10 years ago this year. LGBTQ community members and allies from all over Alaska will march to celebrate LGBTQ pride and the quest for true equality. Dress to impress in your best rainbow gear and bring the kids out for a family-friendly event. 11 a..m.-Noon. Free.

Anchorage PrideFestival

Alaska Pride's main event features more than 130 food vendors, craft-makers and community organizations, as well as two stages of live entertainment. All ages are welcome to this daylong celebration of the Alaska LGBTQ community. Special guest Bob the Drag Queen will perform on the main stage. Noon-5 p.m. Delaney Park Strip, Ninth Avenue. Free.

Bob the Drag Queen

Bob the Drag Queen rose to national fame on "RuPaul's Drag Race," coming in first place during the show's eighth season. Known for his love of stand-up comedy, Bob the Drag Queen is all about getting laughs. Bob will be joined by local queens Goldie Delicious and Miss California. Unfortunately, this show at Williwaw is sold out, but you can still catch a preview of the show on the Park Strip during PrideFestival. 7-9 p.m. $35.

Mad Myrna's presents 'This Is Drag'

Mad Myrna's drag queen royalty Deja Nouveau and Allie McQueen return home for one night only, taking the stage with the rest of Myrna's resident drag divas. 9-11:30 p.m. Mad Myrna's, 530 E. Fifth Ave. $15 at the door.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Daphne DoAll LaChores as the co-host of Friday Night Diva Variety Show. The regular hosts are Hank Van Dickerson and Kathy Phillips. This week's show will not feature any hosts as it is a presentation of 40 years of LGBTQ history in Alaska.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed the ticket price for This Is Drag at $5. General admission is $15 at the door, with additional VIP and group pricing available at brownpapertickets.com.