Stacy Bass-Walden Celebrating 10 Years of Alki Beach Pride
Photos by Jordan Somers
Recently on "The Day with Trae," host Trae Holliday sat down with Stacy Bass-Walden, co-founder and organizer of Alki Beach Pride, to discuss the journey of a community event that started as a small gathering and has now grown into a massive celebration.
Alki Beach Pride, a free and inclusive event, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, marking a decade of community building, visibility, and pride. Stacy shared how it all began in her two-bedroom apartment across from Alki Beach in Seattle. What started as a modest house party with 80 guests has evolved into a significant annual event attracting over a thousand attendees.
Stacy recalled the early days when they didn't know about permits or event planning logistics. Over time, they learned the ropes and even transitioned Alki Beach Pride into a nonprofit organization. She emphasized the event's mission to bring more Black folks and diverse communities to the beach to celebrate and learn about the LGBTQ+ community. Stacy and her wife envisioned the event growing, but they never imagined it would reach the scale it has today—closing down a portion of Alki Avenue in the summertime is a significant achievement for any event in Seattle.
Discussing the growth of Alki Beach Pride, Stacy mentioned that last year's event drew in crowds of over a thousand people, and this year they are expecting even more, given Seattle's beautiful late summer weather. The event has evolved to offer more organized amenities, such as cabanas that sold out quickly this year, allowing attendees to enjoy the celebration without bringing their own equipment. Yet, the essence remains: a community-driven, welcoming space for all to come, learn, and celebrate.
Alki Beach Pride stands out as a free, family-friendly event open to everyone. Stacy and her team continue to encourage participation and allyship, stressing the importance of community support and visibility. She shared a touching story of a young attendee who felt comfortable enough to attend alone and later blossomed into a well-known drag performer. This anecdote highlights the event's impact on creating a safe and welcoming space for everyone.
Stacy also addressed the unique role she and her wife play as Black women running a pride event that is not specifically for Black Pride or women's Pride but a full-scale Pride event for all. She hopes their work will inspire more young people, especially from underrepresented communities, to take on leadership roles in similar events and spaces.
For those interested in attending, Alki Beach Pride will take place on August 31 from 12 PM to 8 PM. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for parking, use public transportation like the water taxi or Metro, and be prepared for a day filled with dancing, food trucks, and community bonding. The event will conclude with an after-party at Mission Cantina. Additionally, this year’s celebration will be marked by a special proclamation from the deputy mayor, highlighting the importance of the event in the city’s cultural landscape.
Stay connected with Stacy Bass-Walden and the Alki Beach Pride event through their Instagram at @alkibeachpride. For more information, visit their website at alkibeachpride.org.
To see more guests like Stacy, tune in with Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.
