Good, safe fun at Pride Festival
A sense of childlike joy permeated the Taylor Pride Music & Arts Festival on Saturday. Where else could grown-ups get in on the fun of colorful costumes, painted faces and dancing as if nobody was watching while surrounded by hundreds of people?
“It’s fun. It’s one of the few times when we get to spend time with our own community and we get to be with people who are for us, not against us,” said Ricky Coppedge, who attended the event with his boyfriend and their fouryear- old daughter.
Seth Granberry, who attended with his wife and children, agreed that the organizers created a safe, family-friendly event to enjoy.
“It’s Saturday and there’s an event in our community that supports members of our community, so we’re going to be there,” he said.
Granberry’s decision to take his family to the festival was made easier knowing that Taylor Police Department would be watching over the event.
“It’s a 100% safe, welcoming environment for my family to be in. There’s been a wonderful law enforcement presence here. Unfortunately, the world we live in, that was a thought that crossed my mind when we were getting ready to come,” he admitted.
While there were a significant number of religious-based signholders at the event, Taylor Police Chief Henry Fluck said there were no disturbances or arrests at Saturday’s Pride events.
Denise Rodgers, president of Taylor Pride, said that not only did the festival run smoothly, but attendance was larger than anticipated and all of the associated Taylor Pride events on Saturday had full crowds.
“We were very happy with how the community showed up,” she said.
Festival-goers were treated to live music, a South Asian dance performance, Las Vegasstyle drag entertainers and vendors with all types of rainbowthemed wares and giveaways. Children enjoyed the splash pad and small play area at Heritage Square while managing multi-colored snow cones. Parents sat on the lawn and under tents as they watched their young children and enjoyed the shows.
Performer Alexandria van Cartier said it was easy for the drag entertainers to create a program that was appropriate for all ages, a festival requirement from Taylor Pride. “I think the biggest misconception about drag is that it is inherently sexual. It is not. Most of my numbers are family-friendly. Drag is an art form, just like theater where there are plays that are familyfriendly and there are plays that are not,” she said.
Brandi Williams, another performer, said it is increasingly common for organizations to request all-age-appropriate acts and that it is an easy request for the entertainers to accommodate.
“It’s all about love and celebration. Love for yourself, love for your community and a celebration for yourself and your community,” she said.
