LGBTQ community aching to get Gay Pride party started

The LGBTQ welcome sign is out in front of Freedom Beauty Salon on Hanson Street. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Excitement is building for this year's Rochester Gay Pride Festival, which may take on the look of a dance party once they get the party started, organizers say.

Rochester Main Street hosts the annual event that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and those who love them. The event runs from noon-3 p.m on Saturday on North Main Street and in the nearby parking lot.

This year's festival features something for all ages, including a welcome from 1^st District Congressman Chris Pappas, music from DJ Jodi Entertainment, a beer and margarita garden, Drag Queen Story Hour, ​face painting with Imagination Faces, balloon artists Sages Entertainment, a poetry wall with Rochester's Poet Laureate and much more.

Rochester Main Street's executive director Angela Mills noted, "This event was created by members of the LGBTQ+ community for members of the LGBTQ+ community. The organizers wanted a fun, dance-party-type festival this year, and almost 50 vendors are coming in support of it."

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to relax while enjoying delicious food from Margaritas, Lilac City Grille, Sweet Peach's Candy & Confections, Two Wrongs Make a Right Bakery, and Wow Factor. Adult beverages are also available.

The mission of this event is to promote equality and acceptance for the ​LGBTQ+ community.

This event is co-produced by the ​Rochester Museum of Fine Arts with premier sponsor ​Bernier Insurance. Additional sponsors include Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, DJ Jodi Entertainment, Skeletone Records, SOS Recovery, PFLAG New Hampshire, and Lilac City Grille.