TL/DR –
Grand Rapids, Michigan, held its 36th annual Pride festival, one of the city’s biggest single-day events and a fundraiser for the Grand Rapids Pride Center. The festival, described as “a big old party”, featured over 100 vendors and special guest appearances, with a focus on celebrating queer joy and community. Jazz McKinney, executive director of the Grand Rapids Pride Center, noted the festival’s roots in protest and its evolution to also celebrate positive aspects of queer identity, stating, “we won’t be stopped. We won’t be silenced. We are here, and we are here to stay.”
Annual Grand Rapids Pride Festival Celebrates Queer Joy
Downtown Grand Rapids was abuzz with music, vendors, and numerous rainbow flags this Saturday for the city’s much-anticipated annual Pride festival. Now in its 36th year, this event is not just one of the largest single-day events in the city, but also a vital fundraiser for the Grand Rapids Pride Center.
“We’ve definitely grown,” says Jazz McKinney, executive director of the Grand Rapids Pride Center. This year, numerous vendors including food trucks and local artists participated. The festival was further enlivened by special guests like Big Freedia, an artist noted for her feature in “Break My Soul” by Beyoncé.
McKinney believes the festival is a grand celebration. “Our focus is to ensure the celebration of queer joy, allowing individuals to be themselves and fostering a sense of community,” they added.
However, McKinney also acknowledges that Pride can be a Catch-22. “It began as a protest against brutality and still carries that significance. It emphasizes our rights to be ourselves, live freely, and be proud. But we’ve also expanded our focus to embrace queer joy, rather than concentrating on negative reactions from others,” they explained.
The ultimate objective? To have fun and enjoy the authentic queer experience. “We are demonstrating to the world that we’re here to stay,” McKinney emphasized.
The festivities began at noon and continued till 10 p.m. at Calder Plaza, reflecting the vibrant spirit of the Grand Haven Pride movement.
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