Organizers of Augusta Pride are taking a “wait and see” attitude when it comes to attendance at the upcoming festival and related events that kick off June 20.
“We’re not quite sure what to expect, but we’re ready to get back to it. The festival is full forward,” said Michael Barnard Jenkins, vice president of Augusta Pride, who is hopeful for large attendance at this year’s festival.
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The week begins with a special service at 6:30 p.m., June 20 at the Metropolitan Community Church of Our Redeemer, 557 Greene St. The interfaith event will be a time of “testimonies, inspiration, reflection and hope,” according to the church’s Facebook page.
Tuesday is Pride Night Out. People can gather for a special Augusta Pride brew at the Savannah River Brewery.
Thursday is the President’s Soiree, the VIP event, at the Sacred Heart Cultural Center. Donors of $150 or more are invited to attend the party, said Jenkins. The deadline for VIPs is June 19. Sponsorship information can be found at prideaugusta.org.
The big events are June 25-26.
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Beats on Broad is a party at the Augusta Common. Each year, it has a color theme; with blue being the featured color this year, he said. It will be from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Augusta Common.
Ada Vox will be the headliner for the event, and Vintage Ooollee will sponsor the fashion show.
“Everyone loves that,” he said of the fashion show, which is a highlight of Beats on Broad.
Tickets to Beats on Broad are $10 or free for VIP sponsors.
Saturday, June 26, will be the festival. Held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Augusta Common, the festival will be slightly different.
Jenkins said they will try to enforce social distancing by reducing the number of vendor booths to provide for more spacing between tables. Hand-sanitizing stations will be set up.
This year, no parade will be held, he said. By the time organizers learned they could have a parade, it was too late to plan for it.
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In addition to vendors tables, some booths will be set up for education. HIV testing is done at the festival as well.
Admission to the festival is free.
“We hope people will come out and celebrate diversity,” he said.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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