BY AJ TRAGER
MARQUETTE – The second annual Upper Peninsula Rainbow Pride, or Pride Fest, will begin at noon Sept. 12. and will offer an array of activities for the whole family including live music, wedding ceremonies and local and statewide vendors.
A rally will begin before the celebration at 11 a.m. in the Marquette Commons, followed by a Pride walk. Those interested in attending are encouraged to bring flags, banners and support.
UP Pride will be open from noon to 11 p.m. in Tourist Park, Marquette and will feature music and entertainment including: an open mic, live music, a drag show, belly dancers, a fire spinner, a comedian and LGBTQ speakers.
In honor of the recent historic U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage, clergy and ordained ministers will be on hand for those interested in getting married at the festival who have already obtained their marriage license.
A drag show featuring local and statewide drag performers will begin at 9 p.m. and will close out the night before the afterglow party starts at 11 p.m. at Coco's Restaurant, located at 911 Lake Shore Blvd in Marquette.
Vendors for the festival include The Trevor Project, Equality Michigan, LGBTeesN'More, United By Light, Apothecary, Haggards Bizarre Bazaar, Glass Rainbows, Behennaed, Ron's Taco Shop, Senors Food Truck and AARP.
Marquette Tourist Park is located at 2145 Sugar Loaf Ave. Camping is available. Contact http://www.mqtcty.org/parks-tourist.php for for more information.
Upper Peninsula Rainbow Pride was established in the summer of 2013 after a group of individuals from all backgrounds came together with the same goals: bring Pride to the Upper Peninsula, provide a safe space for the LGBT community, offer resources and connect all of the LGBTQIA groups in the UP.
