Festival: Columbus Pride Festival

Why you should go:

Anyone who's attended Pride Fest-the largest gay celebration of its kind in the Midwest-knows it's one hell of a party. Everyone will be in the mood to dance, drink and celebrate the 29th anniversary of Stonewall Columbus Pride Holiday.

Pride gets bigger and better every year. Multiple music stages, a tiki bar, more than 150 food and merch vendors and an expanded family area are slated for this year, and Saturday's parade means there's plenty to see and do.

What to eat & drink:

Lots of street vendors offer just about anything you could ask for - from Italian to Asian dishes as well as sweets (elephant ears, funnel cakes) and snacks (mmm kettle corn). Whole World Restaurant will offer vegetarian fare if you're in the market for some healthier options.

Drinks anyone? Budweiser products are available at four beer trucks. And a tiki bar will be shaking up options like Bay Breezes, margaritas and malt beverages.

Entertainment:

The diverse lineup ranges from the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus to renowned drag impressionist Derrick Barry performing as both Britney Spears (Friday) and Lady Gaga (Saturday).

Fest headliners Paradiso Girls will bang out pop hits, surely including their smash "Patron Tequilla," at 7 p.m. Saturday. If you're in the mood for some rock check out Chicago indie outfit 8 Inch Betsy on Friday.

Don't miss:

Everyone loves a parade. Beginning Downtown at noon on Saturday, the Pride parade makes its way north on High Street, finishing at Goodale Park.

It's always a spectacle with extravagant floats and costumes, but it's the parade participants' (and spectators') exuberance that makes it more than your average procession. The celebration perfectly captures the event's combination of happiness and bittersweet history.