The Daily Gamecock

PHOTOS: Famously Hot South Carolina Pride festival celebrates Y2K nostalgia

From Oct. 3 to Oct. 4, the 35th annual Famously Hot SC Pride Festival took place on Main Street, headlined by Grammy winner Mýa. Both local drag talent and nationally recognized kings and queens came together to offer a weekend of entertainment and LGBTQIA+ pride.

Tampa drag queen Jewels Sparkles performs "Popular" from the 2024 movie "Wicked" during the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Sparkles was the first runner up of the seventeenth season of "RuPaul's Drag Race."
Tampa drag queen Jewels Sparkles performs "Popular" from the 2024 movie "Wicked" during the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Sparkles was the first runner up of the seventeenth season of "RuPaul's Drag Race."
A group of children prepare light-up wands before the parade at the first night of the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 3, 2025. The kids marched with Shandon Presbyterian Church, one of several churches in attendance.
A group of children prepare light-up wands before the parade at the first night of the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 3, 2025. The kids marched with Shandon Presbyterian Church, one of several churches in attendance.
A crowd of people dance together in front of the Smirnoff Main Stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. DJ EZ, the main DJ for the night, played songs for the crowd in between performer sets.
A crowd of people dance together in front of the Smirnoff Main Stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. DJ EZ, the main DJ for the night, played songs for the crowd in between performer sets.
Columbia drag king Don Javi lip syncs on the main stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Javi was previously named Mr. Outfest at the 2025 SC Pride Outfest.
Columbia drag king Don Javi lip syncs on the main stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Javi was previously named Mr. Outfest at the 2025 SC Pride Outfest.
Atlanta drag queen Phoenix performs on stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Phoenix competed in both season three of "RuPaul's Drag Race" and season 10 of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars."
Atlanta drag queen Phoenix performs on stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Phoenix competed in both season three of "RuPaul's Drag Race" and season 10 of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars."
American singer-songwriter Mýa sings into a microphone while performing on the Smirnoff Main Stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Mýa was the final act of the night and performed many of her popular songs.
American singer-songwriter Mýa sings into a microphone while performing on the Smirnoff Main Stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Mýa was the final act of the night and performed many of her popular songs.
A woman with the Richland County Library waves a rainbow light-up banner during the parade at the first night of the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 3, 2025. The marchers paraded down Main Street towards the Smirnoff Main Stage at the intersection of Lady Street.
A woman with the Richland County Library waves a rainbow light-up banner during the parade at the first night of the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 3, 2025. The marchers paraded down Main Street towards the Smirnoff Main Stage at the intersection of Lady Street.
New York residents Cameron Moore and Tyler Stein share a kiss while sitting on the sidewalk before the parade at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. The two came down to visit friends in Columbia.
New York residents Cameron Moore and Tyler Stein share a kiss while sitting on the sidewalk before the parade at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. The two came down to visit friends in Columbia.
A trio of drag queens stand on a float next to Cocky as pyrotechnics fire off around them during the parade at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 3, 2025. Many USC LGBTQIA+ groups were in attendance, including IRIS and the USC LGBTQ+ Alumni Council.
A trio of drag queens stand on a float next to Cocky as pyrotechnics fire off around them during the parade at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 3, 2025. Many USC LGBTQIA+ groups were in attendance, including IRIS and the USC LGBTQ+ Alumni Council.
A volunteer with Big Momma Box gives a rainbow wrist band to a child on Main Street during the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Numerous business and activist groups set up tents and tables on Main Street for the festival.
A volunteer with Big Momma Box gives a rainbow wrist band to a child on Main Street during the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Numerous business and activist groups set up tents and tables on Main Street for the festival.
Columbia drag queen Koko Dove performs on the Smirnoff Main Stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Dove is a previous winner of Outfest and was named Miss Trans South Carolina.
Columbia drag queen Koko Dove performs on the Smirnoff Main Stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Dove is a previous winner of Outfest and was named Miss Trans South Carolina.
Columbia drag king Marty McGuy plays with a group of kids at the Family Pride area of the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. McGuy is a frequent Drag Storytime performer.
Columbia drag king Marty McGuy plays with a group of kids at the Family Pride area of the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. McGuy is a frequent Drag Storytime performer.
Columbia drag queen Hellen Heels vogues down the middle of a crowd during Outfest Hour at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Heels previously competed in the Outfest Pageant 2025
Columbia drag queen Hellen Heels vogues down the middle of a crowd during Outfest Hour at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Heels previously competed in the Outfest Pageant 2025
South Carolina musician Daya Carter sings while performing at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Carter released a new single, "All on Me," the previous day.
South Carolina musician Daya Carter sings while performing at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Carter released a new single, "All on Me," the previous day.
Nashville drag queen Jorgeous does a cartwheel while performing on the Smirnoff Main Stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Jorgeous competed on season 14 of “RuPaul's Drag Race” and seasons nine and 10 of “All Stars.”
Nashville drag queen Jorgeous does a cartwheel while performing on the Smirnoff Main Stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Jorgeous competed on season 14 of “RuPaul's Drag Race” and seasons nine and 10 of “All Stars.”
American singer-songwriter Mýa poses for the crowd during the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Mýa was the main headliner for the festival.
American singer-songwriter Mýa poses for the crowd during the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Mýa was the main headliner for the festival.
American singer-songwriter Mýa sings and dances with her backup dancers on the Smirnoff Main Stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Mýa won the Grammy Award in 2002 for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
American singer-songwriter Mýa sings and dances with her backup dancers on the Smirnoff Main Stage at the Famously Hot SC Pride Festival on Oct. 4, 2025. Mýa won the Grammy Award in 2002 for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.