Ferndale Pride charitable events looking to bring in big money

FERNDALE — Ferndale Pride won’t be hitting the downtown for another several months, but event organizers are gearing up in the meantime with many charitable events in the leadup to the festival.

The events raise money for Ferndale Pride and the Ferndale Community Foundation.

The first event is the annual Hot Daddies contest, which will take place from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, at 215 West, located at 215 W. Nine Mile Road.

One of Ferndale Pride’s biggest fundraisers, the event sees contestants of all genders 35 and older compete to raise the most money to become the Hot Daddy.

Similarly, the Cougar Hunt contest will be held 9-11:30 p.m. Friday, April 19, at the same venue. It also is open to all genders and for those 35 years and older.

Blanca’s White Carnival will take place Sunday, March 24, at Gigi’s, 16920 W. Warren Ave. in Detroit. It will be hosted by Mx. Trans Michigan Blanca Sapphire as they raise money for the Ferndale Community Foundation and compete to become Mx. Trans USA.

“We’re having a whole carnival for them at Gigi’s and that should be, like, a lot of fun,” Ferndale Pride Event Director Julia Music said. “They’re like one of the most bouncy, happy, Tigger-like people on the planet, and they just make everyone feel super excited to party.”

Doors for the event will open at 1 p.m., and the event will begin at 2 p.m. It will feature games, carnival food and surprises. It’s suggested for attendees to wear white clothing.

“Ferndale Pride specifically means a lot to me,” Sapphire said. “They were one of the first places to give me a big platform to perform, and I hold that very dear to my heart. So I’m throwing a fundraiser to raise money for Ferndale Pride, and it’s basically going to be a day party at the bar, Gigi’s, and we’re gonna have a mini show.”

A relatively new event, but one that proved to be popular last year, is a Pokemon trivia contest. It will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 12, at B. Nektar Meadery — Taproom & Production Facility, 1511 Jarvis St.

“The Pokemon trivia event is a blast,” Music said. “Last year, we sold out. People were extremely intense about their Pokemon knowledge, their love of the game, and people were going wild for it. So the Pokemon event, it’s such a different atmosphere, but I think I have so much fun.”

The event also will have the Big Black Food Trailer in attendance from 6 to 10 p.m. to serve food.

For more information on the events, to purchase tickets or to become a participant in the Hot Daddies and Cougar Hunt contests, visit ferndalepride.com/events.