Come Celebrate Community Pride at Whitewater's 3rd Annual Pride Rally Oct. 21

Come Celebrate Community Pride at Whitewater’s 3rd Annual Pride Rally Oct. 21

Posted on: October 13, 2023

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by Whitewater Pride.

Whitewater’s third annual Pride Rally promises to be the biggest and best yet. This free, family friendly celebration takes place from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Cravath Lakefront Park in downtown Whitewater.

The Pride Rally will include activities for children, adults, and even the family pets, all in support of our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors with a focus on high school and college students. The events include music, performances, more than 30 vendors, and several food trucks. Speakers include City Manager John Weidl, UW-Whitewater Chancellor Dr. Corey A. King, WUSD Associate Principal Nathan O’Shaughnessy, and Executive Vice President of External Affairs at Family Equality Kim Simes, who will discuss the state of the LGBTQ+ movement locally and nationally.

“For the third year, Whitewater Pride is creating a jubilant safe space for our community to truly celebrate their unique selves,” Camden Harlan, an English teacher and co-advisor for the Gay-Straight Alliance at Whitewater High School, said. “We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of our city, local businesses, schools, and community members. With their advocacy and agency, we will continue to provide events throughout the year where the LGBTQ+ community and Allies can come together and know just how loved and appreciated they are.”

Whitewater Pride T-shirts will be on sale at the event for $15. These black and white T-shirts bear the Whitewater Pride logo, designed by UW-Whitewater student, Maddy Albanese. Colored markers will be available to individualize the shirts on site.

Volunteers from Creative and Resourceful Educator (CARE), a UW-Whitewater student group, will lead children’s activities. LGBTQ+ friendly children’s books will be on display from the Irvin L. Young Public Library. Adults and children can enjoy reading, games, and face painting in the children’s corner. Deanna Rolfsmeyer, the Children’s Librarian, will be available to help with book suggestions and to read books.

Your pets are also invited to attend and participate in the second annual Pride Pet Costume contest. Registration will take place from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on the day of the event. For the safety of your pets and others, please make sure all pets are leashed and comfortable with crowds.

This year, Whitewater Pride is proud to announce official sponsors of the event who have contributed financially to help support Whitewater Pride’s events including the Pride Rally. This year’s sponsors are: The Coburn family, Generac – Pride Berg, Fort Community Credit Union, Whitewater Unites Lives, BaristaCats Café, Whitewater Cinemas, Whitewater Grocery Co, and Fort Healthcare.

“These community partners are not only providing financial support to the work of Whitewater Pride, but they are also standing proud with our LGBTQ+ community members and allies. This statement of support reinforces the values of our communities that all are welcomed, valued, and embraced,” Kim Simes said.

Others wishing to support Whitewater Pride can visit whitewaterpride.org to become a Sponsor or Donor.

Event partners are Whitewater High School Gay-Straight Alliance, the Pride Center at UW-Whitewater, Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, the City of Whitewater, and Whitewater League of Women Voters.