NW Arkansas Pride Festival Prepares for Record Turnout
This weekend marks a significant milestone in Northwest Arkansas, as the 20th annual NWA Pride festival takes place in downtown Fayetteville. The highly anticipated event promises a large turnout, topping previous years’ attendance with an expected crowd of over 45,000 people. Organizers note that participants will be coming not just from local areas like Kansas City and Tulsa but also from farther-off places like Louisiana and Memphis, expanding the festival’s geographical reach.
Enhanced Entertainment and Activities
The celebration has been upgraded in various ways, including its entertainment offerings. This year, attendees will be treated to performances from notable figures, including Sonique Love from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and rapper Big Freedia, marking a departure from previous years that lacked such high-profile performers.
The event has grown beyond just a single day, with a transgender festival scheduled for Friday. This component introduced last year promises a more extensive program, featuring a larger stage, more performers, and a more vibrant atmosphere. The importance of raising awareness about the challenges faced by the transgender community, specifically suicide prevention and discriminatory legislation, will be emphasized.
Festival Details and Logistics
The main festivities will take place on Saturday, starting with the Pride festival at 11 am, followed by the parade down Dickson Street at 5 pm. There will be a significant presence of vendors, with 97 at the festival and 125 entries in the parade. To cater to younger attendees, a youth zone is set up at Fayetteville Town Center, offering arts, crafts, and story times from 11 am to 3 pm. The event concludes with a sold-out party at George’s Majestic Lounge, lasting until 2 am.
Noticeably, for the second consecutive year, no official Pride events will be held at Walton Arts Center, due to safety concerns and the center’s declining to host the youth zone. This decision sparked protests and led to several board resignations. Nonetheless, organizers emphasize the importance of respect, recognition, and visibility for the LGBTQ community.
The final celebration will be a 21-and-up pool and dance party starting at noon on Sunday at the Mount Sequoyah pool. Festivalgoers are urged to carpool or use rideshare services and to take precautions against the heat. Water stations will be available throughout the event to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
