On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Jake Bowers, interim president of Peoria Proud, about the upcoming River City Pride Festival taking place July 18 at the Peoria RiverFront.
The free, daylong festival brings together live entertainment, community organizations, food vendors, interactive art and educational programming in a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride and belonging. Bowers said the event has continued to grow because of the strong sense of community in Peoria, where people consistently show up to support one another.
This year's festival places an increased emphasis on creativity through interactive experiences and expanded opportunities for local artists. A new Artist Row will offer affordable booth space for emerging artists, while returning features like the community art project and Hope Wall invite attendees to contribute messages of encouragement and create artwork that becomes part of the festival experience.
“I want people to leave the festival feeling a sense of belonging that they've never felt before,” Bowers said. “I want them to talk about their pride in their community.”
The entertainment lineup features a mix of local performers alongside nationally recognized guests, including Kennedy Davenport and Nini Coco, with performances and activities taking place throughout the day.
The River City Pride Festival takes place Saturday, July 18, at the Peoria RiverFront.
