‘Free To Be Me!’ rolls out in August
Love leads the way on Pride Fest Day
Get your swag on and Pride flag up - it’s time for a celebration!
The 4th Annual St. Johns Pride Festival is set for Saturday, Aug. 24 from 3-7 pm in the downtown block of W. Higham St.
Due to construction work from the city’s Street Improvement Program, Brush St. will be closed and not a part of this year’s festival venue.
The theme for the Pride Fest is “Free To Be Me”, words aptly fit that honors the identity, individuality, humanness and unity of the LGBTQIA+ community in St. Johns and throughout the world.
This is the fourth Pride Festival to hit the streets and is anticipated to be one of the better events held, building on the achievements and prosperity of the past three successful endeavors. Pride Fest is known annually for its down-home hospitality, great food and music with plenty of entertainment including participatory activities. This year’s lineup of fun will be as strong as ever.
“We hope to celebrate the queer communities of St. Johns and surrounding areas and connect folks to community partners, while bringing awareness and action to our community in an intentional way,” says Andrea Ryan, co-founder of the St. Johns Call-In Coalition and coordinator of its pride festival committee.
Some of the featured events include face painting, games and educational and health exhibits, bounce house, DJ Metro Melik, raffle, drag show, community partner tables, food trucks and health screenings.
“Last year people really enjoyed the bubbles from Bubbles R US, the bounce house, live entertainment, vendors and our first-ever drag show,” says Ryan, adding that there were over 500 spectators at last year’s event. The Blind Venitians, an exceptional musically talented ensemble based in Lansing with a focus on jazz, fusion and R&B, will be making a repeat appearance.
Of course this event could not be held without the generous financial support from contributing sponsors. Leading the way are Clinton Substance & Awareness Coalition (CSAP) with $1,500 and Blue Cross Complete, a managed care health plan contracted by the state of Michigan, with the purchase of a $1,200 sponsorship package.
The decision to move the Pride Fest from its normal June appearance to the month of August is based on spreading the festival out so spectators don’t have to choose between multiple festivals happening on the same day during June is Pride Month celebrations.