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The annual Rainbows Festival street fair drew in more than 25,000 people on Saturday and Sunday from all parts of the Valley to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture.
For the past 18 years the Phoenix Pride committee has put on the event. Every year they have worked to bring more vendors, performances, celebrities and colorful displays to the LGBTQ+ community in the valley.
The two-day street fair at Heritage Square had a variety of vendors, including a variety of food options, local charities, sponsors for the event and more.
The festival also had two stages with multiple performers and headliners brought in to entertain. The entertainment included drag queens from all over Arizona, DJs and celebrities such as Prince Poppycock from “America’s Got Talent” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant Roxxxy Andrews performed over the weekend. The festival also had a surprise visit from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.
“I am a regular attendee of the festival … and really enjoy it,” Gallego said. “It seems to get better every year.”
Mike Fornelli, Executive Director of Phoenix Pride, has found the festival to be a great part of what he does for the community, along with his other three team members.
“My most favorite aspect is the involvement of all of the volunteers that come out and help make this event what it is,” Fornelli said. “My second favorite is just seeing the family and everybody just being able to be their authentic selves and not having to worry about any kind of judgment from anybody.”
Fornelli was not alone in his sentiment that the people are what make the festival great. Gallego said the positive energy was her favorite part about the event.
“It’s bringing people together from all across the community,” she said. “I think it’s important to have great environments where people can come together, celebrate our strong LGBT community.”
She said that she hopes the festival brings awareness to LGBT issues for the next election, mentioning in particular those laws that still allow for discrimination against the minority in other metro cities throughout Valley.
The event also showcased the diversity of people, including a Facebook group of same-sex couples with kids who made the Rainbows Festival their first outing.
“It’s good for the public to see that we can be families too,” said Bryce Chatfield, a dad from the Facebook group. “We’re normal, we’re just like everyone else.”
Fornelli expressed his gratitude to not only the local community, but the volunteers and Phoenix Pride staff as well.
“I just want to reiterate that the staff of Phoenix Pride is only four people. The board of Phoenix Pride is 11 people,” Fornelli said. “Everything else that you see is made possible because of volunteers and our partners throughout the community. Without them none of this would happen, so just thank you to our community and our volunteers.”
Contact the reporter at calope34@asu.edu.
