PrideFest
Bring the whole family to celebrate love, inclusivity and diversity at the Lincoln City, Oregon PrideFest at the Lincoln City Cultural Center this Saturday, June 28.
The festival kicks off with a proclamation from Mayor Susan Wahlke, followed by the opening of the vendor fair and live entertainment in the auditorium.
Your “Faye Rit” performers, including Sweeney Grey and the Shades, drag queen sister duo Mai Faye Rit & Lexi Vaughn and the Hokus Pokie dance crew are returning, to be joined by exciting new acts from Misty Magi, Sequin McQueen, Thee Duchess and more.
Alanna and Catherine, Kathy Redwine and Marika Straw will provide plenty of live music throughout the event.
The vendor fair will feature resource booths, artisan vendors and delicious food from La Wawa, Shoreline Smoothies, LC/DC and others.
“We have more than 50 vendors this year,” said PrideFest committee member Tawni Ferguson. “They’ll be selling queer art or are queer themselves. We are proud to support these small businesses.”
Feeling hot? Drag yourself to the Pride Plunge dunk tank fundraiser. Some outfit enhancements will be provided and all genders are welcome to dress up and get dunked for a great cause. Buckets of balls to throw at the tank target will be sold for a small fee to help raise funds for future PrideFest events.
You can also cool off with one of the “mocktails” made with ingredients donated by Trillium Natural Foods that will be available throughout the afternoon.
Need a break from the excitement? Head to the quieter south end of the building to enjoy relaxing activities. Wildly Alive will guide the creation of a community rainbow despacho, or Peruvian prayer mandala, out of 400 colorful carnations. Participants are offered a quiet, sacred space to offer prayers for healing – for themselves, for humanity and for the earth. Short massages will also be available in the quiet area.
Try your hand at some of the games in the Locke & Key Adventurer's Guild game room.
“They will be running about four tables with quick games for older kids,” Ferguson said. “They will be easy games that can be played in about 20 minutes. There will also be one table with a longer game. It's another great way to take a break.”
Two couples will be renewing their vows shortly after the Mayor’s proclamation, and will lead the Pedestrian Pride Parade around the Poetry Path following the ceremony.
Event accessibility includes an elevator and entrance ramps, accessible bathrooms and alternative food options like vegan and gluten free.
As the turnout for these events has been quite large, event organizers have arranged a way to ease the potential parking problem.
“We will have a shuttle going between the Cultural Center and the Community Center for extra parking,” Ferguson said. “Also this year the vendors are not allowed to park in the lot which should also help with parking availability.”
This year’s celebration falls on the 56th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising—a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history that resonates deeply in today’s political climate. Pride is, and always has been, a protest—but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun along the way.
The festival runs from noon to 5 pm at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, located at 540 NE Hwy. 101. For more information, go to lcorpridefest.org.
Auditorium
Noon - Opening ceremony/Mayoral proclamation
12:15 pm - Live music by Alanna & Catherine and Kathy Redwine
1 pm - Hokie Pokie Dancers
1:30 pm - Live music by Sweeney Gray & the Shades
2 pm - Drag performances
3 pm - Live music by Marika Straw
3:30 pm - Drag performances
4:30 pm - Raffle Drawing
4:45 pm - Closing ceremony
Outside
1:15 pm - Pedestrian Pride Parade