Glitter, Thongs, and Betty Who: Ptown 40 years of "Carnival"

The Provincetown Business Guild presents the 40th Anniversary Carnival, August 11-18, 2018. Started by a group of LGBTQ innkeepers in 1978 who wanted to activate and enliven the Provincetown community, Carnival celebrates Provincetown's creative legacy and history as a welcoming community and is now one of the largest LGBTQ celebrations in the country. This year's Mardi Gras by the Sea Carnival events include numerous dance, boat and costume parties, a live performance by Betty Who and the centerpiece of Carnival: the parade along Commercial Street.

The Carnival parade will feature 40 grand marshals to honor and commemorate 40 years of personal expression, activism, entertainment, and Provincetown's contribution to the global advancement of the LGBTQ community. The "40 for 40" grand marshals range in age from 17 to 80 and include legendary film director John Waters, comedian and activist Kate Clinton, LGBTQ rights activist Urvashi Vaid, drag icon Varla Jean Merman, and award-winning author Michael Cunningham.

For a full listing of events, parties, and parades, and information about tickets, check out the website.

Photography by Dan McKeon.