Empire State Review Contributor 
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — The heart of downtown Big Rapids pulsed with color, music, and celebration on Sunday, June 29, as the fourth annual Pride Big Rapids Festival welcomed an estimated 5,000 attendees. Under the theme “Turn Up the Pride: Love Louder,” the event marked a significant milestone for the small Michigan city, reflecting its growing embrace of LGBTQIA+ inclusivity and visibility.
Organized by the nonprofit Pride Big Rapids, the festival transformed Michigan Avenue into a vibrant corridor of community engagement. The day-long celebration featured over 70 vendors, local artisans, nonprofit booths, and food trucks, offering a diverse array of goods and services. Live entertainment was a cornerstone of the event, with performances by local bands such as Raised on Radio and Susan Booker Morris Band energizing the crowd. The festival also showcased two family-friendly drag shows, hosted by the charismatic DeeDee Chaunté, adding flair and inclusivity to the festivities.
Family-oriented activities were abundant, with an expanded kids’ area offering tie-dye stations, water tables, and face painting. Recognizing the need for accessibility, organizers introduced a “Quiet Tent” or low-sensory area, providing a calming space for attendees seeking respite from the bustling environment.
Since its inception in 2022 at Northend Riverside Park, the Pride Big Rapids Festival has experienced remarkable growth. Vice President Janitza Sawyer-Ocasio reflected on the journey, stating, “We started with our first festival in 2022 at Northend Riverside Park. We were a very small group of people just trying to bring the festival to Big Rapids, and we reached out to everybody that would be interested.” The festival’s relocation to downtown Big Rapids in 2024 and the subsequent increase in attendance underscore the community’s expanding support for LGBTQIA+ initiatives.
President Remington Hernandez emphasized the festival’s significance, noting, “When I looked down Michigan Avenue from the stage last year, I was … . This year, more than ever, … .”
The festival’s success is a testament to the dedication of Pride Big Rapids, a 100% volunteer-led nonprofit organization established in 2021. The group’s mission centers on promoting equality, inclusivity, and support for the LGBTQIA+ community through various events and initiatives. Their efforts have not only fostered a sense of belonging within Big Rapids but have also connected the city to broader networks of pride events across Michigan and the Midwest.
As the festival concluded with closing remarks and a final drag performance, attendees departed with a renewed sense of community and pride. The event’s resounding success highlights the importance of creating inclusive spaces, especially in smaller towns, where visibility and representation can have profound impacts.
