Rainbows Festival in Phoenix brings together LGBT community, allies, entertainers
Community can have different meanings and change over time, and a Phoenix Pride event highlights the diverse people who are in and support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
On October 15 and 16, the Rainbows Festival will bring together members of the LGBT community, allies and their children and pets to celebrate, experience new food and entertainment and learn about community organizations and businesses.
The two-day street fair draws around 25,000 attendees every year.
Phoenix Pride executive director Justin Owen said the festival continues to change as the community becomes more diverse.
“A lot of our allied communities and a lot of our other communities around the Phoenix metro area are really starting to meld together and become unified,” Owen said.
Put on in the heart of downtown Phoenix at Heritage Square, the event will showcase local DJs, drag performers, theater companies, show choirs, bands and artists on two stages.
Phoenix Pride director of programs Dani Logan said the festival allows families and people who don’t go to bars to see their favorite local performers.
On Saturday at Rainbows, local drag queen Afeelya Bunz and radio personality Aneesh from Live 101.5 will host on the mainstage. Drag performers Barbra Seville from Phoenix and Ajia Simone from Tucson will share emcee duties on Sunday.
During the event, attendees can see performances from the two representatives of Phoenix Pride, Miss Phoenix Pride Naomi St. James and Mister Phoenix Pride George “Geo” Johnson.
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On Saturday afternoon at the community stage, youth and adults will have the chance to tell personal stories during a “Storytellers Live” segment. Oral storytelling is a major component in the next phase of the Arizona LGBT History Project, an initiative to preserve the state’s LGBT history.
“They will be sharing a piece of their history, which contributes to our history at large,” Logan said.
Although it has always been pet-friendly, the street fair will have more of an animal focus this year with PetSmart as the presenting sponsor.
“We just hope it will encourage people to come out and bring their whole family, with their four-legged friends included,” Logan said.
The Phoenix Pet Pride area will have adoptable dogs from local animal shelters and vendors with pet products, treats and services.
On Saturday afternoon, local drag performers will walk the main stage with adoptable dogs in costume as part of a Halloween pup parade. The Miss and Mister Phoenix Pet Pride Pageant on Sunday will have categories such as cutest and smallest dog.
During the festival, attendees can learn more LGBT and allied organizations offering health care, HIV assistance, youth, music, STI protection and election-related groups and services. Local businesses will also sell their products and give out swag during the event.
Guests can try different types of cuisine from local food trucks, including pizza, vegan and vegetarian options, Asian fare, fry bread, burgers and fries and Greek and Mexican food.
As part of the new craft cocktail program, Phoenix Pride will offer a cocktail menu with fresh, premium spirits, prepared by local bartenders. The popular craft beer garden will also be returning this year.
Each year, Phoenix Pride puts on two major events and raises money for scholarship and grant programs. In 2015, Phoenix Pride awarded $30,000 in scholarships to six Arizona students.
The organization gave out nearly $70,000 in grants to community organizations through its volunteer and beverage grant programs in 2015. As part of the grant programs, members of church, sports, performing arts, healthcare, HIV assistance and charity organizations volunteer or sell beverages at events such as the Phoenix Pride or Rainbows festivals.
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10/15-16: Rainbows Festival
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16.
Where: Heritage Square at Heritage and Science Park, 113 N. Sixth St., Phoenix.
Admission: Free.
Details: phoenixpride.org.
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