A plug for a coming Arkansas Times-sponsored event.
Central Arkansas Pride this years becomes Little Rock Pride Fest. It will be Sunday, Oct. 11 to coincide with National Coming Out Day.
More events, a car show, a beer garden, “Pride Talks,” entertainment, a kids area and events in the week preceding the parade day are part of an expanded schedule. The grand marshals of the Little Rock Pride Parade will be religious leaders from LGBT-friendly churches. More info:
Other sponsors include the Little Rock Marriott, Club Sway, Pulaski County Democratic Committee, and the Clinton Foundation. The festival will also feature vendors such as Verizon and Metlife and over 60 local vendors,10 food trucks, and a beer garden with Lost Forty and Diamond Bear.
This year’s Pride Fest also comes with an all-star line-up. Entertainment will be presented by Club Sway and will feature nationally known talents such as Milk, RuPaul’s Drag Race star, Ryan Cassata, and local talents such as John Willis & Late Romantics, Symone the Ebony Enchantress, Rhiannon Cortez, and the Flaming Daeth Fearies.
The festival is free and open to the public with a parade beginning at 11:45 A.M followed by a festival on the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center from 12:00-6:00 PM. The new area, “Pride Talks” will help create more community awareness; giving people access to information that affects their daily lives. Topics include LGBT Rights, How to be an Ally to the LGBT Community, Mental Health, Homeless LGBT Youth, LGBT & the Constitution, Trans 101, and more! Additionally, the Kids’ Zone has been improved for families coming to enjoy the festival with a bouncy house, an obstacle course, face painting, temporary tattoos, and other activities. Notable also this year will be the display of V.L Cox’ “End Hate” art installation that has been featured at the Arkansas State Capital and the Lincoln Memorial.
More information at www.centralarkansaspride.com