3rd Little Rock Pride Fest on National Coming Out Day

Staff Report

Central Arkansas Pride invites everyone to the third annual Little Rock Pride Fest 2015. The event, held on October 11, which is also National Coming Out Day, kicks off at Noon at the Clinton Presidential Library Park. This year’s festival includes live entertainment, a kids’ zone, vendors and food trucks.

The event starts with a parade. Lineup is 12pm, and the parade begins at 1pm, winding through downtown Little Rock, down the River Market, and ending at the Clinton Presidential Library Park. It’s free, and open to the public.

Only two years ago, a group of people sat down in a Little Rock restaurant and in casual conversation, Central Arkansas Pride and the Little Rock Pride Fest was born. The first year’s parade attracted 700 people, last year’s garnered over 1500. The organizers expect this year’s event will be even bigger.

Central Arkansas Pride not only produces the annual event. The organization says, “Every year, we strive to bring the best Pride Fest to central Arkansas complete with the best vendors and talent just for you. What many people don’t know, is how much Pride Fest benefits the community. Last year we gave a $500 scholarship and over $1,000 in grants to local LGBT non-profits thanks to everyone who attended the festival. We also generated a reach of over 1500 people for our local LGBT non-profits and LGBT friendly businesses.”

The committee has been busy planning the event, and rounding up sponsors. The Marriott Downton Little Rock is their Presenting Sponsor. Other sponsors include the Clinton Foundation, Bud Light, Burger King, Whole Foods, The Arkansas Times, the Human Rights Campaign, HRC Arkansas, the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission, New Beginnings Church of Central Arkansas, Shop Cupids, Barefoot Studio, and many others.

“We have exciting things planned this year for Pride,” say the organizers. “Especially for our Pride Kids Zone. This year we are expanding our kids’ zone to include an obstacle course, a bouncy house, face painting, bubble machines, and balloons as well as other activities.”

They are planning the parade and festival to be family-friendly. The parade travels through downtown Little Rock and the River Market ending at the Clinton Library Grounds, where the festival is held. The festival includes live music, merchant vendors, food trucks, and the kids’ zone.

Central Arkansas Pride’s core mission is to raise awareness of issues affecting the LGBT community, recognize the positive contributions of the LGBT community in Arkansas, and celebrate diversity. Their goal is a thriving LGBT community in central Arkansas. The organization says on its website, “We work hard to provide events that foster community as well as aid LGBT organizations. As we go into our third year, we are happy that we are now able to offer a scholarship to a graduating high school senior.”

The event promises, “Bigger entertainment, bigger kids zone, beer garden, a more interactive parade. This is everything Pride is working hard to bring you this year.”

The Little Rock Marriott is not only the presenting sponsor, they have special room rate of just $99 a night for pride attendees!

For more information, visit www.centralarkansaspride.com.

The Gayly – September 27, 2015 @ 5:10am.