Burien is gearing up for its second annual Pride Festival–and event organizers promise an even bigger and better extravaganza this year.
The free event, produced by nonprofit Discover Burien, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Burien Town Square Park, 15100 6thAve SW.
“We don’t have a parade,” committee member and Discover Burien events manager Debra George said. “It’s about people interacting, maybe meeting someone new and having a good time.”
She said that this year 80 vendors have reserved spaces for the event. Live entertainment will be featured on two stages instead of one for this year’s festivities. There will be musical acts, dance routines and Zumba performances, as well as a drag show from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Committee member Rob Johnson will host fan favorites “The Newlywed Game” and “The Dating Game” on stage. “They’re old stalwarts of the ‘70s, and we’re going to recreate them,” he said. “Everyone will have a really good time.”
Johnson will serve as co-host alongside Donnatella Howe for a new addition to the festivities, a night-before, pre-cursor to the main event—Drag Queen Bingo.
The theme is “Grooving to the ‘70s” and guests of all ages are invited to play a game in the park from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 1.
George said that last year’s Burien Pride had higher attendance than expected. “It was just a really fun, lively atmosphere,” she said.
George said that businesses donned their gay pride signs and the whole community got involved.
Johnson said the outpouring of support was greatly appreciated. “It meant a lot to me, especially as a gay man, who has lived here my whole life,” he said. “You didn’t get a lot of support in the ‘70s and ‘80s.”
He hopes even more residents and visitors to Burien join in the fun this year. “Come out and just celebrate people being people,” he said. “We have a lot of LGBQT people in Burien.”
Sarah Toce moved to the area shortly before last year’s Pride fest and joined the committee to help organize the event right away. She had managed events in the past and runs and owns “Seattle Lesbian,” an online news magazine. She is returning to help coordinate this year’s fest.
“We’re expanding on what we did last year,” she said.
Not only will there be more entertainment and more vendors but there will also be more raffle items and a large kids’ area, Toce said.
In addition, there will be a beer garden, sponsored by Elliott Bay Brewhouse. WestSide Baby will be hosting the “Stuff the Bus” diaper drive during the festival.
A portion of all proceeds from Burien Pride 2018 will benefit the organization’s newly formed Burien Pride Scholarship Fund.
After-parties will be held at the Point, 435 SW 152nd St,and Black Zia Cantina, 15212 6th Ave SW, and will start as the festival closes.
For more information, email burienpride@gmail.comor visit BurienPride.com .
