Friday June 16, 2006 SGN.org |
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Volume 34 Issue 24 |
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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
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Energy and excitement contagious at Bellingham Pride |
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| Energy and excitement contagious at Bellingham Pride | ||
| by Stephanie Kountouros
- SGN Contributing Writer
The energy and excitement was contagious last Sunday (June 4th 2006) as folks attended Bellingham Pride. Now in its fifth year, the festival seemed like a brand-new event. One of the biggest changes was location. For four years, the Pride Festival's park setting created a warm, if low key, picnic-style environment. Bellingham's new Depot Market Square, built to house the farmer's market, created an opportunity for Pride to be a downtown presence. Bellingham Pride is the first festival to take place at Depot Market, setting the bar for future community festivals to come. But the entertainment line-up may have been the biggest draw. Performers such as the world-renowned Lesbian folk artist, Ferron drew visitors from Vancouver, Seattle and Tacoma. Other performances included Gay Into Straight America, Amber Darland and the local Boi Wonder. Bellingham Pride's entertainment line-up reflects the community's efforts to create a better, more exciting event-it also shows a commitment to support GLBT artists and performers. The Pride Committee's efforts to embrace and welcome members from all aspects of the community could be seen in the street fair. About 50 booths reflected social, political and non-profit groups as well as GLBT vendors showing their wares. The result? The most exciting, energetic Pride festival Bellingham has ever seen. The afternoon rain could not wash away the smiles nor dampen the excitement over the event. And the attendees want to make Bellingham Pride even better next year. Bellingham Pride has been hosted by Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) for the past five years. But the organization needs new membership and energy. The primary committee chairs, Erika Shepard and Kathy Seibert, are moving out of the city. While some committee members were worried that this might be the last Pride festival in Bellingham, much of the community was not aware of the problem. The new face of the festival has encouraged interest and input. Many attendees approached committee members with suggestions and offers to help and more organizations want to be a part of Bellingham Pride's new, exciting direction. Watch for next year's festival, which will be better yet. |
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