The unofficial end of summer is approaching (how did this happen?). Don't let the long weekend pass without fanfare. Cities all over are celebrating in their own distinct--and maybe crazy--ways. Pack all your white clothes and head for one of these end-of-season festivities.
Southern Decadence photo courtesy of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corp.
Southern Decadence
New Orleans, LA
August 27-September 1, 2014
Why not end the summer with an uninhibited romp through The Big Easy? Southern Decadence, the largest gay party in NOLA, is all the craziness you'd expect from New Orleans but taken to its gayest extreme. This annual circuit party challenges even the most accomplished partiers with events running around the clock. Without comment, I present this year's theme: "Under the Big Top - Welcome to the Gayest Show On Earth." (Big top!) (For more information on New Orleans, click here.)
South Beach, Miami photo courtesy of Greater Miami CVB
Sizzle South Beach
Miami Beach, FL
August 28-September 1, 2014
South Beach, Miami. Pretty much everything you've heard is true. It feels more like the Caribbean or Latin America than the U.S. It's hot. Hot, hot, hot. Between the beach bods, the fashion, the clubs, and driving pulse of the city, it's an overwhelmingly exciting time. One party that keeps kicks it up to a new level is Sizzle. Once called Sex on the Beach, Sizzle draws the hottest black and Latino guys from South Florida and around the country for dancing and grinding. (For more information on Miami, click here.)
Lake Travis photo courtesy of Splash Days®
Splash Days®
Austin, TX
August 29-September 1, 2014
Austin is the capital city of Texas, though in many ways, it does not reflect typical Texas. The southwest city is quirky, progressive, and yes, remarkably gay-friendly. The residents of Austin pride themselves on being different, as the popular "Keep Austin Weird" slogan touts. So this Labor Day weekend if you're looking to get weird, wet, and wild, plan a trip to Austin's Hippie Hollow Park on Lake Travis for Splash Days. Tip: Pack light -- it's the only park in Texas where you can legally tan your nooks and crannies. (For more information on Austin, click here.)
Mr. Gay Ogunquit 2013 Pageant photo courtesy of David Sullivan
Start exercising now. You'll want to be in tip-top shape for the Mr. Gay Ogunquit Speedo Pageant. There will be hundreds of people staring. No pressure. Actually, it's probably more enjoyable to be one of the staring people. Either way, it all goes down Labor Day weekend. In addition to six-pack abs, you'll see white sand beaches, dramatic cliffs, real-life evergreens, same-sex couples walking hand-in-hand. It's a regular Rockwell. Ogunquit lies about 90 minutes from Boston and 30 from Portland, so it's easy to plan a longer trip, though you may not want to leave the astounding beauty and irresistible charm of Ogunquit's four square miles. (For more information on Ogunquit, click here.)
Photo courtesy of Rehoboth Drag Volleyball
Drag Volleyball
Rehoboth Beach, DE
August 31, 2014
This quaint, one-square-mile town packs it all in: beaches, boardwalk, tax-free shopping and a surprisingly active nightlife, which specializes in open house parties. Practice your overhand on one of the ubiquitous beach volleyball courts in preparation for the 26th annual Drag Volleyball tournament on Labor Day weekend. Spectating is just as fun as playing, so no pressure. (For more information on Rehoboth Beach, click here.)
For recommendations on each of these destinations, and to book your trip, check out fagabond.com.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.