Lexington Pride Festival aims to be a celebration for everyone
Though the rainbow flags may make it seem like the Lexington Pride Festival is geared toward a specific community, organizers say they aim to bring together the entire Lexington community in a celebration everyone can enjoy.
"We positively impact the community," festival chairman Paul Brown said. "People come and they learn, and they do it while they’re having an amazing time."
The eleventh annual festival will be held this Saturday, rain or shine, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on the downtown courthouse plaza.
Visitors can browse the merchandise from 220 vendors, almost double last year’s total, and children can visit bouncy houses and the Honey Hill Farm mobile petting zoo.
Shadina, a singer who has performed at Pride celebrations across the country, will headline the festival. The rest of the day's onstage entertainment spans genres, featuring both local acts like Small Batch and the Lexington Ballet, and visiting performers. In between musical acts, festival attendees can watch both an afternoon and an evening drag show on the stage. This year also features silks performers from Sora Aerial Arts.
"People really want to have a piece of Pride," Brown said. And "Lexington is one of the best cities in the world to throw a festival like this," thanks to the support of the city administration along with fire and police departments. Mayor Jim Gray, who is openly gay, will offer a noon proclamation marking Saturday as LexPride Day.
Though the Pride festival is always growing, Brown said he wants it to remain downtown and visible, even though other locations further out may offer more space.
Everyone is welcome at the festival, including straight allies who may want to learn more about the community and ways to support LGBT people around Lexington, he said.
Although last year's celebration was met with protesters with signs, Brown said the festival will continue if any return this Saturday.
"If protesters come, what will be will be, but we’re still going to party," he said.
In the end, he said, Pride is a celebration that should be empowering to everyone.
"Pride is one day a year. But do we stop being proud after that day?" Brown said. "Hopefully the festival emboldens people to hold onto their pride 365 days a year."
IF YOU GO
Lexington Pride Festival
What: One day celebration of Lexington's LGBTQ community with entertainers, events, vendors and activities.
When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. June 30
Where: Robert Stephens Courthouse Plaza, 120 N. Limestone
Admission: Free
Online:Lexpridefest.org