Performers from the Sharon ShareAlike Show were up first at the 2024 Kewanee Pride Fest held at Northeast Park on Sunday, June 9. [Photo by Susan DeVilder]

Hundreds of area residents attended the Kewanee Pride Fest 2024 held at Northeast Park on Sunday, June 9. The event marked the second annual Pride Fest in Kewanee, which is held during National Pride Month.

The weather was near perfect, except for some strong gusty winds which toppled a few tents and turned some table umbrellas inside out. In spite of that, the festival carried on throughout the afternoon.

Top photos, performers with one of two drag shows, took to the crowd to dance during Sunday’s second annual Pride Fest. Shown were performers from the Sharon ShareAlike Show. [Photos by Susan DeVilder and TD Welch]

Performing for the day were two drag shows that included the main act of performers from the Sharon ShareAlike Show. Before the main act, Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore took to the stage along with committee members from the Kewanee Commission on Human Relations, who organized the event. Moore addressed the crowd and in his remarks expressed the need for acceptance of diversity in the community and love for your fellow citizens.

Mayor Gary Moore and the festival committee with the Kewanee Commission on Human Relations opened up the event’s festivities. [Photo by Susan DeVilder]

Since last year’s first Kewanee Pride Fest, the number of both food vendors and vendors grew, lining both sides of the park’s main drive and walking path. [Photos by Susan DeVilder]

Plenty of food booths were added to the festival this year and provided plenty of options for attendees. Vendors lined both the park’s main road and the walking path on the park’s south side. Included among the vendors were Braveheart Children’s Advocacy Center, The Kewanee Voice and St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Paulie Dean, the Candy Man, also made an appearance. Dean sells candy during events and at local businesses and donates his proceeds to help fund charity organizations and nonprofits. Dean asked organizers of the event to announce to the crowd that he is currently raising funds in support of The Kewanee Voice.

Paulie Dean, Kewanee’s Candy Man, and his friend Corbin Kidd, sold candy bars at the festival to raise money for The Kewanee Voice. [Photo by Susan DeVilder]

Attendees to the event donned their best Pride Fest clothing and stepped out in style.