Members and friends of the Eugene Springfield LGBTQ community prepare to celebrate diversity and respect at the 25th Annual Pride Festival. As KLCC's Tiffany Eckert reports, the event is expected to draw thousands to Alton Baker Park on Saturday.
Vincent Mays helps coordinate the Pride Festival. He says this Silver Anniversary event will not focus on tragedies- like the nightclub shooting in Orlando.
Mays: "We’re here to celebrate love. And most importantly to celebrate with our community the love we have for one another, the love we have for our partners, the love we now can say we have for our brides or grooms."
This festival is purposely celebrated two months after national Gay Pride Day so as not to compete with larger cities like Portland and Seattle. Plus, it's less likely to rain.
Mays says several organizations will be soliciting volunteers.
Mays: "If you are feeling frustrated, if you are feeling you're not part of the community, or you're feeling angry about recent events, about bathroom laws or recent violence, then get involved."
There will be no barricades or fences-- the Pride Festival is open to all. In addition to private security, Eugene Police and Lane County Sheriff will on site.
See below for event schedule and information:
Eugene / Springfield LGBTQ Pride Festival
August 13th, 2016
Alton Baker Park, Eugene Oregon
11AM to 7PM
Admission is FREE - $5 Suggested Donation
Government Officials in Attendance
12:15 to 12:30: Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, Springfield Mayor Christine Lundburg, Lane County Commissioner Pete Sorenson
2:15 to 2:30: Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian and State Representative Nancy Nathanson
2016 Eugene Springfield Sponsors
Wells Fargo - Main Stage
Flowr of Lyfe - Pink Triangle
Wayward Lamb - Silver/Beer Garden
Castle - Pink
Iris Vineyards - Silver
AARP - Silver
Trinity Church - Silver
Playground Sports - Silver
Pride Foundation - Silver
Entertainment Line - Up, Happy Pride
Main Stage:
12:45 – 1:45 Jeremiah Clark Trio
1:50 – 2:20 Work Dance Company
2:30 - 3:30 Soulicious
3:30 – 4:30 Imperial Court and Friends Drag Show
4:45 – 6:00 The Essentials
Acoustic Stage:
Facilitated conversation for LGBTQIA and Questioning Youth, 12:30-2.
Acoustic performances (spoken word, poetry, music, comedy) 2:30-5:30.
Changes for 2016 Eugene Springfield Pride Festival
- 2016 Theme – 25 years of Pride – Eugene Springfield Pride’s Silver Anniversary
- Bike Valet – 2016 Festival will have a Bike Valet
Please consider public transportation
- What is NOT allowed inside the Eugene Springfield Pride Festival?
- Weapons of any kind (this includes firearms, toy guns or water guns, knives or swords, toy knives or swords, any and all weapons real or toy)
- Glass containers
- Sharpies, markers, paint pens
- No unauthorized/unlicensed vendors allowed
- No unauthorized solicitations, handbills, sampling, giveaways, etc.
<>f.*Random Bag checks will be done upon entering the Festival grounds. Random Bad Checks will be done inside while you’re inside the Festival. Your bag could be check multiple times. Prohibited items will be confiscated by security.