105 Photos From the Provincetown Carnival

The annual theme week featured fun and safe celebratory experiences.

All photos courtesy of Dan McKeon.

The Provincetown Business Guild (PBG) celebrated the 42nd annual Carnival, August 15-21, 2021. This year's theme, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, was celebrated safely with outdoor entertainment, gallery strolls, costume parties, and more, all honoring Provincetown's creative legacy and history as a unique and welcoming destination as well as a haven for the LGBTQ+ community.

Carnival kicked off with the Official Carnival Flag raising ceremony outdoors at The Pilgrim Monument, the tallest all granite structure in the US. Later that evening, opening day continued with the Opening Night Costume Party: Come Out Come Out Wherever You Are, featuring a costume contest, dazzling Provincetown icons, and cash prizes.

This year, the PBG launched Express Yourself Days, a new way to celebrate each summer's theme weeks. This pre-determined day encouraged visitors to convey their individuality and dress up in colorful, creative ways. Carnival's Express Yourself Day was Thursday, August 19. Entertainment, gallery strolls, a drag dance party and a special Carnival whale watch rounded out this year's Carnival schedule.

Provincetown continues to have the highest vaccination rate in Massachusetts and, at 95%, has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country. The town's test positivity rate (the number of tests that come back positive in relation to the total number of tests) continues to decline (now at less than 4%) and was expected to decline further over the next week, and the PBG and town government took every precaution during Carnival week.

Capacities for all events have been limited, outdoor space was leveraged whenever possible, and all Carnival event venues requirer proof of vaccination for entry. Provincetown instituted an indoor mask mandate for all, regardless of vaccination status, while masks are not required outdoors. All businesses in Provincetown could elect to participate in a program from the Provincetown Health Department that certifies that all eligible staff is vaccinated and free COVID-19 testing and vaccines were available daily.

"The businesses of Provincetown have successfully navigated doing business during the pandemic, and we are fortunate to have beautiful, expansive outdoor space in which to host events," said Bob Sanborn, executive director of the PBG. "In addition to the town's indoor mask mandate, we have proactively implemented measures to ensure a safe Carnival experience, including limited capacities at all Carnival events and requiring proof of vaccination. We wanted visitors, residents, and everyone who works in Provincetown to feel comfortable celebrating this beloved annual event."

About the Provincetown Business Guild
The Provincetown Business Guild is a not-for-profit organization promoting and supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer business community in Provincetown, MA. The Guild is committed to improving the Provincetown community by advocating for the acceptance of diversity and for tolerance through projects, programs, and education. The Guild welcomes residents and visitors to experience America's first LGBTQ tourist destination. For more information about the Provincetown Business Guild, visit www.ptown.org.

Here were the week's events.

Friday, August 13
* Friday Evening Gallery Stroll
Opening and Closing times vary
Galleries located throughout town
For locations: ptown.org/shop/galleries

Sunday, August 15
* Official Carnival Flag Raising Ceremony
10 am
Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum
1 High Pole Road
Free admission
* Opening Party: You're Not in Kansas Anymore with DJ Edil Hernandez
Sunset Cruise *Sold Out*
Opening Night Costume Party: Come Out Come Out Wherever You Are
9 pm-close
Paramount at Crown & Anchor
247 Commercial Street
30 cover benefits the Provincetown Business Guild

Monday, August 16
* Carnival kickoff at Shipwreck
8 pm
10 Carver Street
Admission free/donations benefit Provincetown Business Guild
* Gesellschaft presents Tornado
10:30 pm-close
Red Room at Velvet
258 Commercial
Come jam at a style, glam, and drag dance party. Join Janet Jorgulesco and the House of La Rue at GESELLSCHAFT
No cover/donations benefit Provincetown Business Guild

Tuesday, August 17
* RAINBOW Dance Party
10pm-close
A-House
4-6 Masonic Place
$20 cover benefits Provincetown Business Guild & AIDS Support Group

Wednesday, August 18
* Carnival Whale Watch
9:30 am
Dolphin Fleet
Macmillan Pier
Call 800-826-9300 in advance for $5 off and reference Carnival Whale Watch
* Provincetown Follies at Boatslip
The Gayest Show & Party in town
9pm - 11:30pm
Boatslip Resort
161 Commercial Street
$20 cover benefits Provincetown Business Guild
* Red Room presents Ruby Red Slippers
10:30 pm-close
Red Room at Velvet
258 Commercial Street
$10 cover benefits Provincetown Business Guild

Thursday, August 19
* Express Yourself Day
All day throughout Provincetown
* Express Your Queer Self
Come as you are, or dress in a harness, speedo, singlet, kaftan, heels, or in accordance with this year's theme: Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Ty Sunderland Presents Love Prism
Carnival Dance Party
7 pm-Midnight
Dance with DJ Ty Sunderland, sponsored by PAX
Provincetown Town Hall
260 Commercial Street
Admission is free with a ticket

Friday, August 20
* Friday Evening Gallery Stroll
Opening and Closing times vary
Galleries located throughout town
For locations: ptown.org/shop/galleries
* Official Closing Party: There's No Place Like Home
10pm-close
Crown & Anchor
247 Commercial Street
$30 cover (at the door) benefits Provincetown Business Guild
* Carnival Headquarters
The Firehouse
256 Commercial Street
Open daily beginning August 15, Tickets, t-shirts, posters, beads, and other party supplies available for purchase.