After going virtual in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Northern Kentucky's PrideFest is back with some live events and socially distant fun this weekend.
The 12th-annual festival will take place noon-5 p.m. Sunday, June 6, in MainStrasse Village, with a kick-off party on the rooftop of Braxton Brewing Co.'s Covington taproom 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 3. During Thursday's party, attendees can sip on Pride Watermelon Wheat and catch a 6 p.m. drag show.
“After taking the event virtual last year, we could not be more excited to once again come together as a community and celebrate NKY Pride in-person,” Bonnie Meyer, co-chair of the Northern Kentucky Pride Center, says in a release.
And although this year's parade has been canceled for health and safety reasons, there will be plenty of family-friendly performances and activities throughout the day, including drag shows hosted by Sarah Jessica Darker at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
Drew Boehmker, PR/marketing chair of NKY Pride, says there will also be a "fun Pride-themed mini-golf course."
"Vendor-wise, we have a nice mix this year, with an emphasis on vendors providing resources to members of the LGBTQ community who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including mental health resources, HIV/AIDS testing and more," Boehmker tells CityBeat.
Social distancing will be encouraged throughout the day and those who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 will be required to wear a mask.
In lieu of the parade, NKY Pride has provided a walking map so you can essentially choose your own adventure.
It shows "where several of the NKY Pride festivities will be happening, as well as other LGBTQ-owned businesses in Covington — some of which are hosting their own Pride-themed activities," says Boehmker.
See the map below and get full NKY PrideFest details at nkypridecenter.org.
