This summer's San Diego LGBT Pride festival will feature an unprecedented number of performers and attractions from throughout its 33-year history, with more than 100 artists, 300 businesses and an expected audience of 40,000 gathered to celebrate equality, freedom and diversity in the LGBT community.

Vendor booths and multiple stages will be set up throughout the festival grounds at Marston Point in Balboa Park, giving way to a wide range of musical genres that include high-octane and hard rock, electronic pop, Latin rhythms, jazz, country and more.

Specially featured in the roster is a lineup of local, independent bands and musicians who are passionate about supporting the LGBT civil rights movement.

"Nearly all of those performers are here to help us commemorate Pride as a way of giving back to the community and because they believe in the celebration," said Ron deHarte, executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride. "San Diego is fortunate to have a supportive independent music community that reaches out to the LGBT audience, which in turn, is very supportive of the musicians."

In addition to this year's sturdy menu of local talent, the acclaimed English "synth-pop" band Erasure will headline Pride weekend, at 6 p.m., July 22, on the festival's Jack FM Stage. The group, which features Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, is currently on a national tour promoting their new album, "Light At The End Of The World."

Other well-known recording artists scheduled to appear include Dirty Sanchez, an electronic pop group currently heating up the Los Angeles musical scene, plus Gloria Trevi, a sizzling performer from Mexico who will appear on Pride's Nuestro Orgullo Stage in partnership with Club Papi. Sharing that stage during Pride weekend are Anayka from New York, Yoland Ruiz of Los Angeles, Anamor from Italy and Sonora Dinamita Con Vilma Diaz, known as "the kings of cumbia music."

In addition, the indy rock-and-roll group Buckfast SuperBee, and The Cured, a tribute rock band to The Cure, will join a host of other groups such as Corday, Vinyl Radio and The Fascination. A complete list of groups and show times are posted on the Pride web site: www.SanDiegoPride.org.

The two day festival will also feature a host of new and popular attractions, including a 40-foot-high Ferris wheel, "laughter yoga", an interactive photography exhibit, the Art of Pride showcasing LGBT artists, a Jocko Underwear fashion show, Aging as Ourselves Cool Zone for visitors "50 years and better," and the Interfaith Pavilion. Colt and All Worlds Video models will be on hand, food vendors, beer gardens, dance floors and nearly 300 exhibitors will round out the event.

Festival hours are from noon to 10:00 p.m., Saturday, July 21; and from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, July 22. Admission is $15 for a one-day pass or $21 for a two-day pass. Pride weekend also includes a colorful, mile-long parade starting at 11 a.m., July 21, at University Avenue and Normal Street. The parade is free and remains San Diego's largest civic event.

For more information, call the Pride office at (619) 297-7683 or visit the web site at: www.SanDiegoPride.org.