Pride Month will have a colorful kickoff in La Center next week.
Clark County Pride will host its fourth annual Rainbow Walk Sunday, June 2, at Holley Park in La Center, 1000 E. Fourth St. The walk supporting Clark County’s LGBTQ+ community will begin at noon at the bridge on Northwest La Center Road. The festivities at Holley Park will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with live music, food and local vendors.
After a contentious post-election political period, Clark County Pride opened its first Rainbow Walk in La Center four years ago. President Morgan Frazier explained that, at the time, gender identity and preferred pronouns became a heated topic for school districts and communities. Frazier and volunteers began the Rainbow Walk to rally support for the community while creating a safe space.
“At that first walk, there were so many people who felt they were alone, and all of a sudden they were surrounded by hundreds of people who were like them, who understood what they were going through and how they felt isolated,” Frazier said.
Frazier recounted that during the first walk, over 100 people attended. One Clark County resident who walked at the event felt inspired to start Summer of Pride, an organization that currently hosts programs for gay pride awareness locally. For Frazier, that shows the positive impact rallies have on the community.
“Having this in La Center, in this really small town, it allows [people] to know that even in these small towns, even in these really rural places, there are a bunch of people who are supportive or allies or are queer just like they are, you know, they’re not alone in Clark County,” Frazier said.
Over 50 vendors will attend the 2024 festival with clothing, art and photography. Local musicians and a disc jockey will perform for guests during the event. Balloons, stickers and face painting will be available for children in attendance. Guests who want to arrive early can join the pride rally at 10 a.m. on the La Center bridge the same day. Cheer Portland, a charitable cheerleading group, will rally for guests during the walk. Water stations will be prepared for guests in anticipation of hot weather.
Clark County Pride is a nonprofit advocacy group for the rural LGBTQ+ community. The organization aims to provide safe spaces and resources for the queer community and will support other upcoming events to celebrate Pride Month throughout June.
“This is really the kickoff, and everybody is so excited,” Frazier said. “This community waits all year long to throw this event every year, so there’s a lot of anticipation.”
People can learn more about Clark County Pride and its upcoming Rainbow Walk at clarkcountypride.com. The website will list upcoming events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community for Pride Month.
