Category Archives: Gay Anaheim CA
Anaheim Packing District CITRUSFEST
WE LOVE Anaheim and Orange County! And the addition of the Packing District in Anaheim is FANTASTIC! Anaheim residents and visitors alike are enjoying this new communal gathering place in the heart of downtown, complete with refurbished historic structures and new exciting uses.
The Packing District, located at the intersection of Anaheim Blvd and Santa Ana Street, includes the restored Packard Building & former Car Showroom, Farmers Park and the restored citrus Packing House, including a community kitchen for private use, as well as an intimate backyard & outdoor venue with a fireplace and orange grove.
The Packing House features 20+ artisan eateries with live music on the Mezzanine Stage every weekend! For more information on the latest happenings at The Packing House, sign up via “Join Our Community” on our main page: www.anaheimpackingdistrict.com
If you are nearby March 28th – check out Citrus Fest!
- When: March 28, 2015 Citrus festival Noon-5pm @ Farmers park
Citrus car parade, citrus cook off contest, citrus label coloring for kids, hayride, free lemonade, hard lemonade garden, live music, and kids games.
OCTOBER 2-4 2015 will be the dates for this years GAY DAYS ANAHEIM!
Anaheim Opens Packing House!
The Anaheim Packing District is
complete now with the Grand Opening of The Anaheim Packing House, the final segment of a multi-faceted restoration project pioneered by the City of Anaheim more than 10 years ago.
The Anaheim Packing District is proud to announce the highly anticipated Grand Opening Day for the newly restored Anaheim Packing House on Saturday, May 31, from noon-10pm, FREE to the public.
This all-day celebration kicks off with live music from various local country and blue grass bands and an Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 1pm on the front steps of the former Sunkist citrus packing warehouse. Built in 1919 and saved from certain demise by the Redevelopment Agency in 2000, the Packing House has been lovingly repurposed by the City of Anaheim into a world-class food hall reminiscent of the Ferry Building of San Francisco. Carefully curated culinary artisans include an Indian café, seafood restaurant, Italian pizza patio, a butcher, fresh veggie and fruit juicery, baker, tea house, gourmet popsicles and much more with communal tables and central music performance mezzanine. Local stakeholders and history buffs will be Honorary Docents for the day and provide free tours of the historical landmark with Grand Opening souvenir giveaways (while supplies last).
This historic landmark, commonly known as the Sunkist Packing House, will now home to approximately 20 local culinary artisans sharing a communal eating and entertainment area, in the tradition of global food halls.
A sampling of Anaheim Packing House gourmet eateries coming soon includes: The Kroft
(gourmet sandwiches and specialty fries), Popbar (gourmet popsicles), Cafectio Organico (Guatemalan-style coffee), The Chippy (fish and chips), ADYA (unique Indian cuisine), Iron Press (waffle sandwiches), Ecco Pizza Shoppe (pizzeria), Wheat & Sons (local butcher), Orange Tei (gourmet sushi and Ramen), Rolling Boil (hot pot restaurant), revolutionary new bakery, Korean barbeque, surprisingly fresh juice bar, artisan cheeses and grilled cheese sandwiches, and more to follow.
The Anaheim brewing tradition also continues within The Packing House with bars The Blind Rabbit (speakeasy) and The Tool Shed(featuring unique organic wines).
The exterior warehouse loading docks have been transformed into dining porches and open top railroad cars have been parked on the original railroad tracks used to transport the citrus crops as additional outdoor
seating.
LAB Holding, LLC, known for the acclaimed community based projects such as
The LAB, The CAMP, The Casino San Clemente, SOLO and others, was engaged by the City to revive the cultural aspects and design of the project.
“The Packing House, built in 1919, is an authentic icon of Orange County’s
agricultural past,” states the LAB. “We honor this tradition by hand
selecting food and beverage purveyors to repurpose this grand hall into a
community gathering place with live music and seasonal celebrations. We
were inspired by Anaheim’s rich history and culture and the photos of
Anaheim’s early immigrant farmers who settled on these very streets.”
ABOUT THE ANAHEIM PACKING DISTRICT
The Anaheim Packing District,
located at 400 S. Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, a unique gathering place for
local food, drinks and music, includes the Packard Showroom, Farmers
Park and The Anaheim Packing House. Built in 1919, the restored Packing House will serve as a culinary center that brings together artisan food producers and purveyors in a public market type setting. The Packard Showroom houses Anaheim Brewery and Umami Burger, now open. Farmer’s Park, an outdoor marketplace, will soon host an array of community activities such as outdoor concerts, movies, and seasonal festivals. Contact info@
keep abreast of Grand Opening details and upcoming events at the Packing House, or follow us on Facebook at AnaheimPackingDistrict or on Twitter @PackingDistrict.
READ MORE ABOUT ANAHEIM HERE
(GAY DAYS ANAHEIM WILL RETURN OCTOBER 2014! BOOK NOW!)
Best Gay Friendly City – Anaheim Unveils Amazing Packing House
The Anaheim Packing District is
targeting October of this year as the Grand Opening for The Anaheim Packing House, the final segment of a multi-faceted restoration project pioneered by the City of Anaheim more than 10 years ago. This
historic landmark, commonly known as the Sunkist Packing House, will soon be home to approximately 20 local culinary artisans sharing a
communal eating and entertainment area, in the tradition of global food
halls.
A sampling of Anaheim Packing House gourmet eateries coming soon includes: The Kroft
(gourmet sandwiches and specialty fries), Popbar (gourmet popsicles),
Cafectio Organico (Guatemalan-style coffee), The Chippy (fish and
chips), ADYA (unique Indian cuisine), Iron Press (waffle sandwiches),
Ecco Pizza Shoppe (pizzeria), Wheat & Sons (local butcher), Orange
Tei (gourmet sushi and Ramen), Rolling Boil (hot pot restaurant),
revolutionary new bakery, Korean barbeque, surprisingly fresh juice bar,
artisan cheeses and grilled cheese sandwiches, and more to follow.
The Anaheim brewing tradition also continues within The Packing House with bars The Blind Rabbit (speakeasy) and The Tool Shed (featuring unique organic wines).
The exterior warehouse loading docks have been transformed into dining porches and open top railroad cars have been parked on the original railroad tracks used to transport the citrus crops as additional outdoor
seating.
LAB Holding, LLC, known for the acclaimed community based projects such as
The LAB, The CAMP, The Casino San Clemente, SOLO and others, was engaged
by the City to revive the cultural aspects and design of the project.
“The Packing House, built in 1919, is an authentic icon of Orange County’s
agricultural past,” states the LAB. “We honor this tradition by hand
selecting food and beverage purveyors to repurpose this grand hall into a
community gathering place with live music and seasonal celebrations. We
were inspired by Anaheim’s rich history and culture and the photos of
Anaheim’s early immigrant farmers who settled on these very streets.”
Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait summarizes The Anaheim Packing District project: “The
Anaheim Packing House is a beautiful community asset that will serve
all of Anaheim’s residents and guests,” said Tait. “My thanks go to a
multitude of community leaders who, over time, made the renovation of
this historic building and Packing District even greater than we could
have imagined. The Packing District will be a neighborhood place for
the community to gather with family and friends, as well as giving us a
place to celebrate our agricultural and entrepreneurial heritage. My
congratulations to all.”
The Anaheim Packing District consists of three contingent parcels along Anaheim Blvd. near City Hall: The Packard Showroom, Farmers Park, and soon to open Packing House.
First to be redeveloped was The Packard (Car) Showroom, built in 1925. It now houses the Anaheim Brewery, a commercial brewer and tasting room, and the gourmet burger sensation, Umami Burger. The outdoor patios of these two establishments face the second phase of the
project, Farmers Park, a greenbelt designed by award-winning landscape
architect, Ken Smith. The Park opened on June 29th with a lively Farm Folk Festival and more than 1000 residents exploring the grassy knoll, redwood boardwalk, community gardens and olive grove. A weekly Farmers Market opens at Farmers Park on Saturday, July 27th with many other community events to follow.
ABOUT THE ANAHEIM PACKING DISTRICT
The Anaheim Packing District,
located at 400 S. Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, a unique gathering place for
local food, drinks and music, includes the Packard Showroom, Farmers
Park and The Anaheim Packing House. Built
in 1919, the restored Packing House will serve as a culinary center
that brings together artisan food producers and purveyors in a public
market type setting. The Packard Showroom houses Anaheim Brewery and
Umami Burger, now open. Farmer’s Park, an outdoor marketplace, will soon
host an array of community activities such as outdoor concerts, movies,
and seasonal festivals. Contact info@
keep abreast of Grand Opening details and upcoming events at the
Packing House, or follow us on Facebook at AnaheimPackingDistrict or on
Twitter @PackingDistrict.
READ MORE ABOUT ANAHEIM HERE
Gay Days at Disneyland in Anaheim California Oct 5-7, 2012
MORE THAN 30,000 gays and lesbians from California and all over the country, many wearing red shirts! attend Gay Days Anaheim will be held this year, October 5 through 7th, 2012.
Gay
Days Anaheim is a “mix-in” with straight park-goers. – Gays and
lesbians are encouraged to wear red shirts to the parks to identify one
another and show strong numbers. Official T-shirts are available at the official Gay Day at Disneyland Web site. – or be creative and design your own!
Both days in the park will have
gathering times for specific groups including gay youth (sponsored by
The Trevor Project), families, women, singles, and bears. THERE IS
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! This is not just a bunch of big dance parties featuring shirtless muscle boys. There will be scavenger hunts, lots of various entertainments and a group photo
inside the park. A complete schedule is available at the web site.
Sign up for the private Gay Days email list. You will get updates
about everything from the parties and hotel rooms to T-shirts and other
Gay Day-related events.
There is still time to grab a plane and get a room!
Mr Gay Orange County OC Crowned
Forget about the Real Housewives of Orange County!
How about the Real Gay Men of Orange County?!
For the first time ever, the Orange County gay community hosted a pageant to crown Mr Gay Orange County and raise money for charity.
Tom Stephens, one of the organizers, said he was inspired to host the competition after a friend died from cancer last year.
“I felt like I was wasting my life,” Stephens said. “I needed to do something outside of my life.”
The Orange County Mr. Gay competition became that venue for Stephens after he met with the organizers for the national contest at a travel show in Las Vegas.
“I thought it would be interesting,” Stephens said. “This would be fun, and I get to raise money for charity.”
Proceeds from an opportunity drawing on Saturday and any funds raised by contestants will go to AIDS Services Foundation , Orange County and The Center Orange County. Nearly $5,000 was raised and they are planning on holding the event every year.
Tyrone Jackson was the winner this year.
“It’s super exciting,” Jackson said of his new title. “It shows that with heart and determination you can do anything. It’s a big platform, but I can handle it.”
Jackson also captured the title of Mr. Community for raising $500, the most among the contestants.
UPCOMING IN ORANGE COUNTY……
The Red Ball September 25
Gay Days Anaheim October 1 – 3
Gay Vietnamese March in Orange County Little Saigon TET Parade
ORANGE COUNTY
itself is very welcoming
to the LGBT communities.
This past month, there has been much in the press about the gay vietnamese community and the TET parade.
Last week – WESTMINSTER – A coalition of Vietnamese gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups said they will march down Little Saigon streets – a first for the annual Tet Parade. Once Gay and lesbian Vietnamese-Americans said they were marching in the Parade, it sparked rebukes from a City Council member and Christian leader.
The groups have chapters in Orange County, but they have never actually participated in an Orange County public event.
Rev. Nguyen Thanh Van and Westminster City Councilman Andy Quach made very vocal negative comments.
The minister, who leads the Hội Đồng Liên Tôn interfaith council, called on religious and political groups to boycott the parade.
Quach, who is chairman of the parade’s organizing committee, issued a letter in Vietnamese that, stated the politician wishes he could ban the gays but that he can’t. He asked that everyone still turn out and enjoy the parade.
Despite opposition, the group marched anyway. Towleroad reader Rob Hoang published this photo of him and his boyfriend marching with the first LGBT group to march in the Orange County Tet (Vietnamese New Year) parade in California.
“We were anxious, prepared for the worst,” stated one UCLA participant who had been cautioned in an AQWA newsletter and various forums to be wary of possible protests being staged against the LGBT marchers.
“Boos” totaled less than five. Cheers rose from the crowd as the Vietnamese LGBT marchers were announced in English, followed by a second–perhaps more unexpected–wave of cheers as they were again announced in Vietnamese.
And in an extreme act of hypocrisy, Andy Quach, an Orange County City Councilman who warned of gays and lesbians “any extreme or outrageous material not suited for children” while participating in this year’s Vietnamese Tet Parade, rode in the parade in a car painted with tits and ass. That’s real nice Andy.
The call for a boycott from Reverend Thanh Van, and other religious conservatives ended in a massive fail and a potential political migraine for Andy Quach.
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