This year's edition of LA PRIDE is similar in some ways to previous Pride festivals. You will see the best (and the worst) drag queens the city has to offer and there is, of course, a large number of shirtless males displaying what they each consider to be the best chest, abs and nipples in the city. Aside from the shirtless boys, other tasty treats include a wide selection of food items for hungry visitors, including the presence of some interesting food trucks serving up some good eats.
 

So much to see, so much to do at LA PRIDE. The 40th Anniversary festival is even bigger and better!

Hey, who counts calories at LA PRIDE? Nothing tastes better on a warm sunny day than a cool banana split!

While its nice to see the regular participants, such as Gelson's Market, The Trevor Project, and Walgreen's just to name a few, it was really cool to see some new exhibitors showcasing interesting products and services. Out & About Tours (Outandabout-Tours.com) offers Hollywood's first and only gay bus tour that reveals L.A.'s hidden gay history. They offer a 'Sungay Brunch' tour, as well. 

Everyone is into organics these days, so why not a 95% organic personal lubricant? Green Love Lube (GreenLoveLube.com) is aloe vera based and doesn't contain any of the nasty chemicals you may find in other lubricants. It is Vitamin E enhanced and has essential oils of lavender and vanilla. The 'Jungle' scented lube smells great and feels even better! (Hey, I have to do my research, right?)
 

Smoothies don't get any healthier than this. You have to pedal the bike to power the blender that mixes your drink.

Hey, I found the most popular attraction at LA PRIDE. Hundreds wait their turn to use the porta-toilets.

As good as LA PRIDE is, I guess there may be room for improvement and I have no doubt that organizers will solve this problem by next year - but let's talk about porta-toilets. Instead of placing them conveniently throughout the festival area, they are all in a row at one end of the grounds. Not only does this make them a bit inconvenient, but it also results in hundreds of people crowded into one not-so-large area. This human traffic jam makes it challenging for those not waiting for the porta-toilets to pass by. As I wait my turn, I can hear people yelling to those in adjoining 'stalls': "Do you have any toilet tissue in yours?" Yikes - I can only imagine the adventure that awaits me when I eventually reach the front of this long line.
 

A TV crew interviews exhibitors. A representative of Equality California happily discusses the organization's oustanding work.

During LA PRIDE, San Vicente Boulevard provides a paved dance floor for those who want to move to the DJ's tunes.

Just around the corner at Millions of Milkshakes on Santa Monica Boulevard, hip hop mogul and entrepreneur Russell Simmons has arrived to launch a very special beverage during LA PRIDE - the NOH8 Shake. Proceeds from the sale of the shake will go to the NOH8 campaign. I heard someone ask what ingredients go into the shake and the answer, of course, is...whatever multi-millionaire star maker Russell Simmons wants to put in it! Actually, the rich, creamy shake consists of vegan ice cream, soy milk, Oreo cookies, and cocoa powder. Delicious!
 

How many people does it take to make a NOH8 Shake? Apparently, one to blend it and three to watch. Good job!

Well, based on the enthusiasm with which Russell is sipping this drink, the NOH8 Shake is as tasty as it's concept!

It seems as though there is less stage entertainment at LA PRIDE 2010 than in previous years, with DJs filling the gaps. But as performers take their place on the main stage, they are top names that definitely do not disappoint. Among those on the talent roster this year are Kelis, En Vogue, Martha Davis & The Motels, and Kelly Rowland. A large, alcohol-saturated crowd is getting a little rowdy as Kelly Rowland takes the stage but, overall, everyone seems to be having a good time while celebrating the 40th Anniversary of LA PRIDE.
 

Her milkshake brings all the boys to LA PRIDE's main stage. It's popular Grammy nominee Kelis.

Martha Davis & The Motels sing a number of their popular hits for the enthusiastic LA PRIDE crowd.

This year's PRIDE parade seems like one of the biggest and best to date, featuring not only colorful floats and beautiful people of all ages and colors, but also a number of well-known celebrities and local politicians showing their support for the LGBT community. There are also a number of strategically placed anti-gay protesters and, with the exception of Grand Marshals Sharon and Kelly Osbourne who have decided to exchange words with a few of the protesters, the festive crowd is doing a good job of ignoring the messages of hate. In addition to floats sponsored by local organizations and corporate sponsors, there are also entries from other PRIDE festivals, including OC PRIDE, LONG BEACH PRIDE and LAS VEGAS PRIDE.
 

Pre-parade activities included LA PRIDE emcee Momma introducing performances such as this one by CheerLA.

Stopping by for a quick interview in support of NOH8, Shannon Tweed (r) and Sophie Simmons of Gene Simmons' Family Jewels.

BREAKING NEWS...CNN's Jane Velez Mitchell recently came out and is LA PRIDE's 'Person of the Year' .

L.A. Sheriff Lee Baca (nice hat) and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck participate to show their support for the LGBT community.

Kelly and Sharon Osbourne take their Grand Marshal duties seriously. They are shouting down several anti-gay protesters.

Wow, this is the best delivery service ever! OC PRIDE sent a truckload of hot men to join the festivities here in WeHo.

Sophie Simmons, Shannon Tweed, Adam Bouska and his partner Jeff Parshley lead the parade's NOH8 group.

What would the LA PRIDE parade be without a float decorated with colorful balloons and hot men in (and out) of their briefs!