The subcommittee for the Kewanee Pride Fest has solidified its schedule for the day’s events. After months of planning, everything is ready to go, said Taurean Bond, subcommittee member and chair of the Kewanee Commission on Human Relations.
“We are so excited to share months of planning and hard work,” he said. “Our vision is to empower each individual in attendance to feel they are able to express themselves and celebrate not only themselves but each other, as well as education and support services.”
Bond said as a committee, they have had to hold themselves to a higher level of integrity.
“We over-thought and criticized every decision that was made in an attempt to avoid presenting any misconduct to our community, making this a true family-friendly event,” said Bond.
The schedule for the day’s event was recently released on a flyer and includes both a Day Fest and an After Party. The Day Fest will begin at noon at Northeast Park and kick off with an opening ceremony. Other activities include Dot the StoryTeller, followed by a Drag Show at 12:30 pm. Dot the StoryTeller will be back at 2 pm, followed by a performance from the local band, High Jinx, at 2:30 pm. Another Drag Show will follow at 4:30 pm.
The After Party is hosted by the Chrome Gypsy Compound located at 600 N. Lexington Ave., and begins at 8 pm and goes until 2 am. Comedian Shayne Neubert will perform at 8:30 pm, followed by Bottoms Up Burlesque at 9 pm. A Drag Show is scheduled at 11 p.m. with a final bedtime story at 1:45 am. Emcee Ceduxion Carrington with Good Times Entertainment will host the events.
The Kewanee Pride Fest is supported by numerous sponsors including Good’s Furniture, Jo Jo’s Convenient Store, Farmer’s Insurance, New View Furniture, Kewanee Commission on Human Relations, Country Morning Coffee, St. John’s Episicopal Church, IHMVCU, Union Federal, First Choice Healthcare and Black Hawk College- to name just a handful. A complete list of sponsors can be found on the event flyer.
This is Kewanee’s first pride fest and coincides with National Pride Month in June. Plans for the event were announced earlier this year by the Kewanee Commission on Human Relations.
Bond and the subcommittee are excited that the event has taken shape and come together.
“Thank you for supporting us and we will see you Saturday, June 10,” said Bond.
