PrideFest Milwaukee 2018 expands to a fourth day, opens Thursday, June 7

PrideFest Milwaukee, the largest volunteer-run Pride event in America, opens on June 7 with the first-ever four-day Milwaukee Pride weekend, filled with a star-studded entertainment lineup, activities and presentations for all ages.

Headliners, including The B-52s, Jussie Smollett, and Daya, join an impressive group of regional and local entertainers across 10 performance areas.

Over the years, the three-day all-LGBT festival has become a must-attend Midwest event and this year is positioned to shatter last year's all-time attendance record of 37,682 attendees.

The weekend kicks off on Thursday, June 7 with an all-new opening celebration in the Dance Pavilion. The $9 admission price includes entertainment, featuring the internationally known east coast DJ trio, Cash Cash, along with a lineup of local entertainment including DJ's, Drag artists, dancers and Chicago hosts Lucy Stoole and Trannika Rex. 

Grammy award-winner Daya is the headliner on Friday, June 8. Known for catchy hits like "Sit Still Look Pretty," and "Hideaway", Daya took home a Grammy for her collaboration with The Chainsmokers on their hit, "Don't Let Me Down."

On Saturday, June 9, PrideFest will welcome actor, director, singer/songwriter, Jussie Smollett, one of the stars of the wildly successful television drama, Empire. Smollett is fresh on the heels of his new album release, "Sum of My Music" on March 2nd, and recieved a 2016 NAACP image award for Outstanding New Artist.

And after years at the top of the PrideFest "artist wish list" submissions, the board and production team announced the Sunday June 10 headliners, the B-52s. This legendary band has had audiences dancing to hit after hit for decades.

This year marks the third decade of Pride celebrations in Milwaukee. PrideFest Milwaukee began in 1987, thanks to the efforts of the Milwaukee Lesbian/Gay Pride Committee. PrideFest Milwaukee remains the world's largest LGBTQ pride festival staffed entirely by volunteers. Last year the organization celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Milwaukee's festival is unique among Pride festivals in that it has its own, permanent festival park to call home. While most Pride events around the country, including Chicago, take place at block parties, neighborhood parks, or temporary stages, PrideFest Milwaukee is now celebrating its 22nd year at Henry W. Maier Festival Park, home to Summerfest, the nation's largest music festival, as well as Milwaukee's summer ethnic festivals.

Your PrideFest Milwaukee ticket allows access to all acts on all stages, with no separate cost for headline shows. Four-day weekend passes for $39 offer the best value. Single-day, VIP and weekend VIP tickets are also available.

For the full festival line-up and schedule, visit www.pridefest.com.