The 4th annual Sylva Pride Festival is this Friday through Sunday, Sept. 13 to 15.
The Pride Festival will celebrate queer identities and protest for queer rights and acceptance on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Bridge Park in Sylva.
The president of Sylva Pride, Burgin Mackey, is looking to bring a small town feel to a modern celebration, with events like drag shows, Pride Mass, and queer dancing.
There will be an affirming Pride Mass at St. John’s Episcopal Church Friday at 5:30 p.m., followed by Quare Dancin’ at Sante, the wine bar on Main Street.
The organizers are providing free a dance class at 6 p.m., followed by a dance party at 7 p.m.
A Drag Brunch is kicking off Saturday at Breadheads Tiki Shak in downtown Sylva, followed by Rock the Vote at Bridge Park, an event to get LGBTQ+ people involved in the elections. There will be a Chalk Walk from 5.p.m to 8 p.m. in downtown Sylva, with prizes and raffles for the best decorations.
Saturday will be finished off by Mad for Drag, an 18+ drag show starting at 9 p.m. at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Sylva.
Sunday is the day of the Pride Festival, happening from 1p.m.- 6p.m. in Bridge Park. There will be live music, storytelling, sing-a-longs, and a family friendly drag show.
The Sylva Town Board this spring did not authorize the traditional Pride march, citing safety concerns.
“I wish I could march every single day of my life for LGBTQ rights,” Mackey said, and hopes that the board re-evaluates its views on a Pride Parade in the future.
Mackey says if you want to learn more on how to volunteer or fight for LGBTQ+ rights, follow Cornbread & Roses or Sylva Pride on Instagram.
