Special to IFN
The march to kick off the fourth annual Statesville Pride Festival will begin at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, in Downtown. Walkers, accompanied by convertibles, will travel from Tradd Street along Broad Street toward Mitchell Community College. The festival will begin at 12 noon, when the parade arrives at Meeting Street, and runs through 4 p.m.
Statesville Pride Alliance President Dennis Brown will read the official proclamation signed on Wednesday declaring September 27 as a special day dedicated to the celebration of all people, LGTBQIA+ and their families, friends, loved ones and allies.
This year’s festival will feature an expanded area with twice as many vendors and food trucks and new activities added for children of all ages, organizers said.
The theme of this year’s event is “Over the Rainbow,” sparked in part by the presence of Marsha Lambertson, the world’s premier female balloonist who is bringing her official MGM 75th Anniversary Wizard of Oz hot air balloon. The balloon will be the centerpiece of the festival. If the weather permits, tethered rides will be offered from the green space at Broad Street United Methodist Church.
The Main Stage, furnished by Scott Caldwell of Sound Check Live, will host musicians, vocalists and drag performers from Cardboard Castles Productions in Hickory. Miss Jamie Monroe, entertainer extraordinaire from Salisbury, will be the mistress of ceremonies.
Participating local businesses include The Watering Hole and Foxy Roxy’s Pizza. Several food trucks, including Dragon Dogs, Bossman’s Big Bitz, The Blue Plate, The Coffee Dewd, Yum! Baking and TasteTations by Tan will be on site.
There will be a raffle of assorted items and a great grand prize with drawings held every 45 minutes. There will also be a Kids’ Zone. Retailer Julie Carpenter with MerMade of Statesville will be part of the Zone with take-home crafts, and Josh Dickens of Artist’s Escape will be there demonstrating and teaching art techniques. There will also be an Oz coloring station for kids. There will also be bubbles, balloons and a giant inflatable slide.
In keeping with the theme, Theatre Statesville is hosting a Wizard of Oz Costume Contest. Categories are listed on the Statesville Pride Alliance Website and Facebook pages.
“There are so many sponsors and supporters helping to make this celebration of inclusion and love for one another so special, and we invite you to join us for just four hours of peace and harmony out of your year,” a Statesville Pride Alliance spokesperson said.