After a long hiatus, the Methow Valley Pride Festival will be back this weekend.
The festival is scheduled to take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday (June 27).
The events previously took place in 2010 in Mazama and 2013 in Winthrop, with a smaller event taking place in 2014.
This year’s event was spurred by a small group of enthusiastic volunteers, said Kelly Edwards, one of the event’s organizers.
“It’s coming together in a really beautiful way,” she said. “We’re just looking forward to being together as a community.”
At 10 a.m. Sunday, marchers will meet up at Twisp Town Park, where they plan to make signs, do face painting and prepare for the march. At 11 a.m. will march from the park to the TwispWorks Pavilion. Marchers” can also ride a bike, roller skate or use other transportation. Streets won’t be closed, so marchers should stay in the right lane.
“It really is a celebratory atmosphere where everyone can feel free and safe to be themselves and it’s not always that way, especially in a rural community,” Edwards said. “This is just a safe and celebratory place for people to be themselves.”
In addition to the march, the event will include speakers, games, music and “lots of sparkle,” according to the event’s Facebook page.
The Old Schoolhouse Brewery Taproom at TwispWorks plans to open early, at noon, for the event.
A few days before the festival, Methow Arts is hosting a free drop-in art booth where people can paint their own pride-themed flag, headband or other piece of art, at the organization’s Glover Street office. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday (June 24).
“We’ll provide white fabric and painting materials,” Methow Arts wrote on its website. “Feel free to bring your own shirt, hat, skirt or other piece of apparel that can be converted into wearable art.”
Any art supplies, clothing donations or financial donations can be dropped off in advance at The Thrifty Fox at 112 N. Glover St. For more information, email MethowPride@gmail.com.
