Long Beach Pride Day 1

I wore myself out.

The seaside venue was HUGE, lots to see, lots to do.

After logging in 13,523 steps, the equivalent of 6.5 miles, I could no longer hang, crashed around 5:00 p.m., abandoned plans to stick around for the night life.

In between, I took tons of video as I went along, but few turned out due to people jumping in front of me while I was recording, causing me to move, which movement caused the video to go haywire.

Walking through the gates, I was regaled with all manner of totally free merchandise being pressed upon me — Pride fans, flags, beads, tote bags.

I was even offered a free pole dance lesson.

I passed, saying "Girl, I’d break something".

"It’s okay, well teach you", said she.

"I’m 78, can’t risk it" was my reply.

I wouldn’t have minded learning how to twerk however and spent quite a bit of time in the arena watching a twerking contest.

Leaving there, I saw the Stiletto Dancing tent.

Again, a nope for me.

Elsewhere, motto of the day appeared to be "Suns Out, Buns and Bellies Out".

I found my way to the Drag Makeup Dome.

I was into it.

The makeup artist asked what I’d like. I didn’t know, so I said "Something fun, a mini drag".

Before

After

I think the after is reminiscent of Norma Desmond, the fictional silent film actress trying to hold onto her youth in the movie Sunset Boulevard.

This booth looked interesting so, like the sign says, I dared myself to go in.

More buns and a cardboard cutout with an opening at the butt of one of the figures.

Turns out it's a Spanking Booth — plant your butt in the opening, experience a paddle spank.

Guess who's but this is.

That was my first and last experience with being spanked because OUCH, also the first time I’m seen what I think are Furries.

After visiting a few of the music stages, watching folks dance, twerk, too dead on my feet to carry on — not to mention I was having so much fun that I forgot to eat or hydrate — had no food or water since arriving, it was back to the hotel, rest up for Sunday’s parade and Day 2 of the Festival, where bull riding and line dancing is on the agenda.