Some 800 people are expected to attend Saturday’s second annual Henderson Ky. Pride, a number that more than doubles the attendance of last year’s inaugural festival.
Henderson Ky. Pride Executive Director Cooper Beck said the organization has gathered estimates by using the same social media model that gauges engagement as they did last year, when around 350-400 people attended. He said the numbers are showing that 800 people could show up for this year’s event which will be 2-9 p.m. Saturday at Central Park.
Beck said that he expects the bulk of the attendees to come from Henderson, but he also said there will be people from Webster, Union and Hopkins counties—places that don’t have as much of a support system for the LGBTQIA population—as well as Evansville.
In addition to the expected rise in attendance, there will be many more vendors this year, Beck said, adding 60 vendors representing virtually all local nonprofit organizations, health care and other services as well as craft vendors and homemade goods will be present.
The 60 vendors are the maximum for this event–five are on a waitlist, Beck said. Each vendor has a 10-foot by 10-foot space, and they will be situated throughout Central Park to create what is being called the “Vendor Village,” Beck said.
Additionally, the 25-foot truck trailer that doubled as a stage at last year’s event is gone, replaced by a full, professional stage that will be set up by the Eric Group, which is the same company that has built the stages at the Henderson Summerfest.
And 12 food trucks will also be at the festival, Beck said.
The number of those helping with the event this year has also increased. Beck said the Henderson Ky. Pride board of directors has eight members, the Pride planning committee has 8 or 9 people and there are 40 volunteers who signed up to help at Saturday’s festival.
Beck said the growth is indicative that it was time for Henderson to host an event, despite his admission that he was surprised at how it has taken off.
“I think it just shows how ready Henderson was for a celebration like this,” Beck said.
Beck responded to criticism he’s seen online about the nature of the event, saying Saturday’s is completely family-friendly. He said drag performers are under contract–including music, costumes and dance moves–to be family-friendly.
He said there is expected to be protesters.
“We respect their right to the First Amendment,” he said.
Within the event space, there will be a clear code of conduct, he said. And the Henderson Police Department will be there as well as a drone to keep the festival safe, he said.
Stage Schedule:
2 p.m.: Opening ceremony, when a new legacy award will be introduced and a member of the community will be honored
2:20: EVSC Summer Musical
2:40: Lorelai
3:00: Drag show—6 drag artists
4:15: Wyvern Blew, band from Henderson, indie pop
5 p.m.: Prismatic Shards
6 p.m.: Rush Slocum
7 p.m.: Headliner drag show, 8-9 different performers, Dusty Ray Bottoms from Ru Paul’s Drag Race is featured
9:30 p.m.: After party at Cap ‘N Cork for those 18 and up
