June is Pride Month, designated to affirm the dignity and civil rights of the LGBTQ+ community – and to have a great time in the process.
Manitou Springs Pridefest returns for the third year with an opening show at 8 p.m. Friday, June 28, at Persephone Grae’s Café and Juice Bar (819 Manitou Ave.). This event is for those 18 years of age and older.
More than a dozen experienced drag performers will participate in the opening show, including Manitou Pride Grand Marshall Miss Connie and Grand Ambassador Tiara Latrice.
The family-friendly festivities kick off the next morning with Manitou Springs Pridefest’s first Pride Parade starting at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Manitou and Pawnee avenues and ending at Soda Springs Park (1016 Manitou Ave.).
Pridefest organizer Kittie Kilner said many local organizations are taking part in the parade, as well as most of the Pridefest performers and the Manitou Springs drum circle.
“Witness an array of colorful floats, enthusiastic marchers and dazzling costumes as we celebrate our diverse community in style,” states the Manitou Springs Pridefest Facebook page, which goes on to encourage spectators to line the streets early to secure a spot to cheer on the paraders.
After the parade, starting at 11 a.m., people will find fun for all ages in Soda Springs Park with performances by local musicians, drag shows, fun games and activities, poetry and spoken word performances, as well as dozens of booths offering wares by local artists and other vendors, including food trucks.
Kilner said she started Manitou Springs Pridefest because of the community’s inclusivity, and because she learned a few years ago that Manitou did not have its own Pride celebration.
“Manitou is such an inclusive place, a real safe space,” she said. “Knowing we didn’t have our own Pride was crazy to me!”
Kilner said she loves the “family, grassroots feeling” of Manitou Springs Pridefest.
“The vendors are local, performers are local, everything is all local hands on deck,” she said, adding that she looks forward to seeing the event grow bigger and better every year.
“Especially the parade,” she said. “I’d love to see more local businesses involved.”
Manitou is such an inclusive place. – Katie Kilner
Kilner also encouraged Manitou businesses to compete for the best Pride-themed storefront window. She said the business windows will be judged between June 22 and 27, and the winners will be announced at Manitou Pride on June 29. Prizes of Ace Hardware gift cards will be awarded for first, second and third place.
Miss Connie is the drag persona of Adam Martinez. Martinez is a host of all-ages drag brunches at the Colorado Springs burlesque venue La Burla Bee. The brunches are family-friendly events where queer youth are welcomed to be their true selves.
Martinez uses they/them pronouns and she/her when in drag as Miss Connie.
“To be honored as the Grand Marshall for my youth advocacy is just amazing” they said, adding that youth performers will be in the parade with them.
Martinez said this is their third year participating in Manitou Springs Pridefest. Martinez said they are from Old Colorado City and spent a lot of time in Manitou growing up. Today, they and their husband take their kids to Manitou Springs for fun times at the arcade and unique local restaurants.
“Manitou has a lot of meaning for me and my family,” they said. “It means a lot for me to bring my kids to a town where I grew up … and my kids can show how proud they are of having two dads.”
Manitou Springs Pridefest 2024 sponsors include Purple Mountain Recovery, Manitou Springs Women’s Club, Ent Credit Union, Atrevida Beer Co., Timeless Creations, Wagon Wheel Sports Bar & Concert Hall, All Seasons Apothecary, Stripped burlesque show, He Loves Me! Flowers, Thursday Drum Circles in Manitou and Darkness Boutique.
Information: Manitou Springs Pridefest Facebook page, manitoupride@gmail.com or manitouspringsprid.wixsite.com/manitou-springs-prid.
Working out for Pride
