By GRETCHEN AMMERMAN/Oregon Coast TODAY
Walk, don’t run, to the Newport Pride weekend. Or, if you do want to run, join the 5K, just one of nine activities planned for Newport Pride, happening at various locations throughout town from Friday through Sunday, Sept. 20-22.
The event is an opportunity for community members and allies to come together with joy while the LGBTQ+ community struggles with increased negativity.
“We are feeling that the country is getting more dreary for the community,” said Kathy Redwine, event chair. “There were Pride events that got canceled in Portland this year for safety reasons, and we are doing everything we can to let people be in their own skin but still be safe at our event.”
When the event board sponsored an event ad on Instagram, Redwine was surprised and saddened by the overwhelming number of hateful comments left on the page.
“If they don’t like what we are doing, all they have to do is not look at it,” she said. “It’s hard to see that kind of thing when you are just trying to promote something that is all about positivity.”
The event kicks off on Friday with Pub Night at Bier One, which includes an Over the Rainbow costume contest, trivia and a special edition Newport Pride pint glass for $15 that includes one pour. The fun continues at the Movie and Costume night at the Newport Performing Arts Center. Watch and sing-along to “The Wizard of Oz,” dress up as your favorite character or just come as you are. There will be a costume contest and prizes given out. The first 50 people to arrive will receive a songbook to use and take home.
On Saturday, the Newport Recreation Center will be the place to be. After the reading of the proclamation from the mayor to celebrate Pride in the coastal community, the Super Queer Fun Fair will get going, with dozens of resources and vendors, a DJ, photo booth, quiet and eating spaces and a BraDazzle area to support CoastBusters and breast cancer awareness. There will be plenty of free swag for the first few hundred people to arrive and merchandise for sale. Finally, try your luck while trying not to laugh so hard you blow your card off the table at Drag Bingo in the small gym, with prizes and family-friendly performances. The first bingo card is free and each additional card is $1.
“Our hosts for drag bingo this year are Mai Faye-Rit and Lexi Vaughn, with Lincoln City’s own Sweeney Gray, as emcee.” Redwine said. “It’s nice to have local talent.”
The evening ends fancy at the Fabulous Formal at Primaltones Community Venue, where this year’s theme is “Masquerade Ball,” open to those age 13 and older from 6-8 p.m., then 21 and older until closing.
Sunday starts with a bang with the Newport Pride Run, co-hosted with Ardor Adventures and starting and ending at the Newport Performing Arts Center. Entry for the flat and fast 5K is $60 and the Kids’ Run is free. The registration deadline is Saturday.
After working up an appetite on the run, head to the Drag Brunch at Myril Eatery & Wine Bar in the Embarcadero. Brunch is $50 per person, with $10 being donated back to Newport Oregon Pride, and includes two hours of food, drink and entertainment.
The event wraps up swimmingly with the Pride Picnic at the Pool at the recreation center.
Bring the family and your favorite swimming suit and spend time eating, relaxing and hanging out by or in the pool — food and drinks are provided.
“Samaritan Health Services is our presenting sponsor,” Redwine said. “We have planned a lot of healing events, so it’s nice to have them as our sponsor. They enabled us to do things like having life jackets for kids at the pool.”
There will be more than 20 jackets, but the first 20 kids to arrive will receive a life jacket to keep.
“I’m just super proud and thankful for our board and our friends and families that are helping to make this happen,” Redwine said. “The board has been amazing and so have our community partners. We work so hard on this literally all year and I’m just hoping it’s well attended, peaceful and joyful and that we can have a great time celebrating together.”
For more information, go to newportoregonpride.com.
Schedule of Events
Friday, Sept. 20
5-11 p.m.: Pub Night at Bier One Brewing, 255 S.W. Ninth St.
6-9 p.m.: Movie and Costume Night, Newport Performing Arts Center;
Saturday, Sept. 21
11-11:30 a.m.: Pride Proclamation, Newport Recreation Center
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Super Queer Fun Fair, Newport Recreation Center
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Drag Bingo,Newport Recreation Center
6-11 p.m.: Fabulous Formal, Primaltones Community Venue, 2925 S.E. Ferry Slip Road;
Sunday, Sept. 22
8 a.m.: Newport Pride Run, Newport Performing Arts Center;
10 a.m. to noon: Drag Brunch, Myril Eatery & Wine Bar, 1000 S.E. Bay Blvd.;
Noon to 3 p.m.: Pride Picnic at the Pool, Newport Recreation Center.