Our Story
Every spring, the Long Beach community comes together to show their support for those living with HIV. The "Hats & Heels" Easter Walk was started in 1997 by local community member Rick White (Sheeya Mann) as a charity walk supporting the CARE Center at Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center.
To this day the legacy has been carried on by Long Beach drag diva Jewels and many hard-working volunteers. What started as a small community gathering has grown into one of Long Beach's most beloved annual traditions — nearly three decades of fabulous, darling!
The Event
Easter Walk is a charity bar crawl through downtown Long Beach, visiting 7 fabulous venues along the way. Each stop features drag shows, entertainment, prizes, and plenty of festive fun. The theme is "Hats & Heels" — so put on your most fabulous Easter bonnet, your fiercest heels, and dress to impress!
The event is free to attend. Donations are made directly to the St. Mary Foundation at Dignity Health, bunny-earmarked for the CARE Center programs. In 2024, participants helped raise over $40,000, with lifetime fundraising exceeding $500,000!
The CARE Center
The CARE Program and Clinics has been providing HIV/AIDS services to the greater Long Beach community since 1986. Based at St. Mary Medical Center, CARE currently serves over 1,500 men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS with medical, dental, and social services.
CARE is a nationally recognized program due mainly to the comprehensive system of services offered to clients at one site. 100% of Easter Walk proceeds support these critical programs.
C.A.R.E.'s mission is "To make high quality health and social services available to HIV/AIDS infected and affected individuals and families in a manner that is professional, compassionate, and recognizes the dignity and autonomy of each individual."
Produced by Jewels Productions
Jewels — the first drag queen to receive a key to the city of Long Beach — and her team have built a reputation for hosting an annual, fun-filled Sunday afternoon that has continued to grow each year. Easter Walk has transformed into multiple events over the month of April.
We could not continue this work without the help of friends such as "Jewels & Friends". This committed team, along with founder Sheeya Mann (bringing fierce energy all the way from New Orleans), keeps the Easter Walk tradition alive and growing.
Get Involved
Easter Walk is about community and doesn't happen without a lot of love and support. Whether you want to volunteer, sponsor, perform, or just spread the word — we'd love to hear from you!
Follow us on Instagram: @easterwalk
Use the hashtag #EasterWalk and #EasterWalkLB to share your experience!