The 17th annual Eugene/Springfield PRIDE festival is expected to be the biggest ever.
Marketing Coordinator Todd Simmons said it makes sense the largest Oregon gay pride event outside of Portland should be held in Eugene.
“I think Eugene is a very progressive community. And it has a good strong history of support for equality for gays, lesbians and transgender,” he said.
The event will begin tonight at 5 p.m. at the Indigo District with the official kick-off party open to those 21 and older. There is an $8 cover. Dancing will move to Club SNAFU later, Simmons said.
Simmons said in the four years he has been involved interest and attendance has increased, and he expects more than 2,000 people this year.
The festival features entertainment for adults and children. Saturday at noon at Alton Baker Park in Eugene, Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy will begin the day’s events with a speech. Other legislative officials may make an appearance as well. Festivities end at 8 p.m., followed by an 18-and-under dance party, Simmons said.
Simmons said Saturday evening’s after party at SNAFU will be “more guy oriented.”
Performers throughout the day include Rory Stitt, a Portland-based performer originally from Alaska. Indie911.com calls the music of Rory Stitt “poignant, personal and pure, if you listen you can hear a reflection of your own midnight thoughts coming through Rory and the piano animal.”
Stitt’s performance will be followed by performances from local drag troupes as well as bachelor and bachelorette auctions. Singer-songwriter Nicole Sangsuree will take the stage at 4 p.m.
Headlining the event are California-based hip-hop artists Androgene and Katastrophe. Androgene, originally from Nigeria, is a model and singer with a high-energy sound.
The San Francisco Chronicle said Katastrophe, a transgender hip-hop artist, is “part of a growing queer hip-hop movement” and that he “sees himself as a kind of missionary – using music and the power of his personality to help educate society about people who are different.”
Simmons is sure the music will be exciting.
“I think we’re going to have some really hip, current entertainment,” he said. “This isn’t going to be some soft music in the park.”
Simmons said the festival has experienced an increase in vendor participation as well.
“We’ve got like forty booths,” he said. “That is a big jump from last year.”
Festival Coordinator Jer Megowan has held many positions within the organizing committee and began his involvement as a volunteer about seven years ago. He has been festival coordinator for the last four years.
“I think it’s the easiest job until the week before PRIDE,” he said. “But it gets crazy the last week because everybody calls me.”
Megowan said no major crisis has popped up this last week.
“If it rains, that’s a crisis,” Megowan said. “Most things can be dealt with or done in a different way.”
Megowan said vendors range from a SNAFU-sponsored beer garden to jewelry sellers.
“It’s a safe space where people can be themselves without worrying about being discriminated,” he said. “It’s going to be sunny and beautiful so everyone should come out and enjoy.”