One heck of a Pride
By Cheryl Romano
For the Lincoln Chronicle
Bust out the boots and saddles — or at least a hankerin’ for a good time — and mosey into downtown Yachats for the eighth Yachats Pride festival beginning this Friday, June 5.
“Rhinestone Rodeo” is the theme for fun, games and a little seriousness running through Sunday, June 7, at the Yachats Commons where human differences will be celebrated, flaunted and explored.
Produced by the nonprofit Yachats Pride, the weekend features live music, food, a dance party, community drag bingo, a puppy parade and more. The group was formed in 2017 to celebrate diversity among the central Oregon coast’s lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer, inter-sex and asexual community.
The festival kicks off Friday with a CowFolk Dinner prepared by Devon Chase of Ona restaurant, followed by community bingo games with a lip sync drag show.
Saturday events begin at noon with a Trans Tea Party Panel discussion, then a petting zoo behind the Commons, and a dinner by new Yachats eatery The Magic Spoon. At 6 pm, a Hootenanny dance party will feature live dance lessons and a hoedown. At 8 pm, a Rhinestone Rodeo Club Western variety show will spotlight local drag performers, whip tricks, lasso artistry and live line dancing. The show is recommended for people aged 18 and over.
Sunday’s events include a community market opening at 9 am, karaoke at 10 am, a meet-and-greet with pets available from the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, a community picnic hosted by Yachats Community Presbyterian Church and a puppy parade.
A full schedule click is available at www.yachatspride.org. Many events are free, but donations are welcomed.
The Yachats Pride Festival has grown into a major coastal event and is the kickoff event of Pride Month observations on the coast and across Oregon.
“Last year, we had about 300 attendees per day, and over 900 over the full weekend,” said Emily Crabtree, one of eight Yachats Pride board members. The year before, total attendance was estimated at 350.
Oregon’s major tourism marketing agency, Travel Oregon, is sponsoring the Yachats festival for the second year. “This shows Yachats and beyond that our festival is an important event,” said Crabtree. In fact, Yachats Pride will represent Travel Oregon in the Portland Pride parade this year.
Also key to the event’s growth is the support from community members and small businesses. The Drift Inn, Adobe Resort, Yachats Inn and Tiny Tranquility are providing free accommodation to artists performing at the festival. Some three dozen Yachats-area businesses also lend support.
“We want to give a huge thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers, and to the Yachats community for coming out and having a great time,” Crabtree said. “Our community is small, but we have big fun.”
While negative episodes have not marred past events, the nonprofit is ready, especially considering the current political climate.
“We’ve never had any pushback,” said Crabtree, but as is the custom every year, “we have allies and volunteers who will keep an eye out.”
“There are lots of things going on for young and old. Mostly we’re focusing on experiences that are joyful and silly,” Crabtree said. “Please come visit us — we have open arms.”
Cheryl Romano is a Yachats freelance reporter who contributes regularly to Lincoln Chronicle. She can be reached at Wordsell@gmail.com.
This article is published as part of our partnership with the Lincoln Chronicle. For more, go to www.lincolnchronicle.org.