Emporia’s second annual Pride celebration kicks off Friday evening.
Activities will begin with the first Pride Live music festival in downtown Emporia in conjunction with the June First Friday Artwalk. Organizer Orion Turner says the evening will have a variety of musical performances from pop to classic rock and even some musical theatre selections.
Fellow organizer Sarah Bays says the list of performers includes both Emporia natives and former residents. She says having so many people making their way back to Emporia to participate in Pride is very heartwarming.
Friday’s festival will also see the debut of Emporia’s Pride Choir under the direction of Emporia State University Director of Choirs Dr. Josh Donaldson. Turner says the choir is a group they have been trying to organize for several years now.
Pride Live will begin at 5 pm and will run until 10 pm. Activities will continue into Saturday with a drag brunch at 2 pm inside Union Street Social followed by the Pride parade on Commercial Street.
Emporia High School Gender and Sexuality Alliance Vice President Arianna Hamilton did not have exact numbers, however, she says entries in this year’s parade will be significantly larger than last year.
Activities will conclude Saturday night with a drag show inside the Emporia Granada Theatre hosted by Emporia native Q. The drag show is tentatively scheduled to begin at 8 pm.
Gender and Sexuality Alliance incoming president Angel Andrete says to him, Pride is a time when he is able to unapologetically be himself.
Tickets for the drag show can be purchased through EmporiaGranada.com or at the Granada Box Office. To reserve tables for the drag brunch call Union Street Social at 620-208-6993.