SugarHouse Comes Out

The party on July 5 goes gay - really, really gay

Philadelphia may be welcoming America for July 4 festivities, but the following day, SugarHouse Casino is going gay. LGBT Out on the River (2 – 9 p.m.) is taking full advantage of the destination’s new riverfront beach – they shipped in 110 tons of sand and planted more than 30 palm trees from Florida, turning the casino’s 7,000 square feet of waterfront into a veritable Rehoboth on the Delaware.

“As part of SugarHouse’s commitment to being part of the Philadelphia community and delivering a positive experience for everyone who walks through our doors, we’re always hosting various events and activities for the city’s many organizations and groups,” says Wendy Hamilton, general manager of SugarHouse Casino. “The LGBT community is important to Philadelphia and ‘Out on the River’ is just one of the many ways we’re supporting our Equality Forum partners in the months ahead.”

The full day of events includes a rainbow beach party (everyone’s encourage to wear their Pride colors) with rainbow twister, an Annette and Frankie look-a-like contest, drag queen competition and live music by Sister Funk.

Stacey Vey – so-owner of Stir – and Sandy Beach will be hosting the festivities with DJ Jimmy DePre spinning music.

“The theme I am playing off of is what’s a gay beach party without a Sandy Beach,” says Beach, who says several familiar faces will be playing The Beach Blanket Bingo, including HRH Mortimer, Brittany Lynn, Morgan Wells and Miss Philly Black Pride Joy Marnier. “I will be performing ‘The Boy from Sugar Beach,’ a take off on the classic ‘Girl from Ipanema,'” he says.

SugarHouse has been upping their gay ante for awhile now. “SugarHouse regularly hosts events that are open to all guests 21 and older,” explains Hamilton. “More recently, we were a sponsor of SundayOUT! at Equality Forum, and later in July, we’ll host the Official Closing Night Gala Party for QFest. We look forward to accomodating the LGBT community more in the future to continue SugarHouse’s position as a fun and diverse destination.”

Click here for more information about the event. Or find out how you can take the free Sugar Express here.