Orange County, CA Focus

Orange County Pride Event: August 14, noon-10 PM
Event Location: Hidden Valley, Irvine CA (Next to the Verizon Amphitheater)

Orange County Pride started as a small gathering in Centennial Park, Santa Ana over twenty years ago. Initially unwelcome in the OC, the small festival grew to host around 10,000 partygoers in a celebration of diversity on the campus of UCI. Still, by 2002, the event had become only a memory.

When Prop 8 passed in 2008, residents of Orange County, where the measure was approved 57% to 42%, decided it was time to stand together and fight ignorance and discrimination in their own community. Within a week, the Orange County Equality Coalition (OCEC) was born. OCEC has been a focused and tireless force organizing for equal rights since its inception. Its many members decided OCEC would host an annual Pride event so the community could celebrate itself, once again, and be refreshed and renewed in its battle for justice.

In 2009, Pride came back to Orange County. Last year’s “Picnic in the Park,” the first Pride event the OC had seen since 2001, had overwhelming local support. Organizations, businesses, local politicians, and artists such as Sal Landers (who headlined Orange County’s first Pride event in 1988), came out to participate in the historic event, which drew around 500 people.

This year we are taking Orange County Pride to the next level with the theme “Busting through the Orange Curtain!” Located at the Verizon Amphitheater Complex, Hidden Valley, this year’s Pride will feature THREE stages of entertainment. The Dance Tent is hosting some of OC’s hottest DJs. The Main Stage boasts an impressive line up of musicians, dancers, comedians, activists, community leaders and female impersonators. New this year, we have added a family area with fun and entertainment for parents and children. Check out the Entertainment and Family Fun pages of our website for details.

So come be a part of this momentous occasion, and celebrate the last local Pride event of the summer. Tickets are on sale now, and with your support, Orange County will have a Pride event of which we can all be proud.

* Admission $10
* Kids 12 and under free
* Limited VIP Tickets Available $50
* Parking $7
* No outside food or drinks
* No Pets

BUY TICKETS HERE


Some Local Orange County Resources:

Liberal OC Blog: for those who want to find news and events in Orange County

Voice of OC: Who says you can't fight city hall?

Democratic Foundation of Orange County: What We Do

* Develop financial resources to support an active & effective Democratic Party in Orange County.
* Encourage, train and support Democratic candidates in Orange County.
* Sponsor high-profile events to increase the visibility of Democrats and Democratic ideas.
* Provide a forum to develop and discuss political and public policy issues of local and national importance.
* Provide our members with introductions and access to local government, California and National Democratic leaders, as well as to leaders in labor and in business.


I found this round up of events in Orange County, California, thanks to Orange County Democracy for America. Check them out at get involved with your local community. After all, that's how change happens.


Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County: The Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County are dedicated to the mission of electing LGBT and Pro-Equality Democrats in California and throughout the country.

The Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County typically meet on the last Sunday of the month:

Local 50 Union Hall
527 S Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805

Click here to join.


Orange County Biodiesel Cooperative: Working together to increase availability of biodiesel in the Orange County region. Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy. Go to their website to sign up for more info.

And here are some biodiesel stations in/near Orange County, CA:

Extreme Biodiesel: 1560 N Maple St, Corona, CA 92880, 888-998-7223. Offers B99.9 (nearly 100% biodiesel, good for newer diesel engines, some old engines not ok). MEMBERSHIP REQD

Nickey Petroleum: 925 S Lakeview Ave, Placentia,, CA 92870, 714-547-4123. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine), B99 (ok for newer diesel engines). CALL AHEAD

Socal Biofuel: 1006 E South St, Anaheim, CA 92805, 888-888-4121. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel enginns, some old engines not ok). Open 8-4:30 M-F