2023 Pridefest
2023 SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, August 31
Tie-Dye Party - 5:00-7:00pm at Carnegie Art Center
Pick up the 2023 Mankato Pride T-shirt and make it your own with Tie-Dye artist Garrett Kopka.
This is your chance to get the tee before the festival to be ready to celebrate PRIDE!
T-shirts are $15 each (S-3XL), and you'll have all the supplies you need to create your tie-dye design.
Tie-Dye expert Garrett Kopka and our volunteers will be there to guide you through the process.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Drag Bargo - 7:00pm at The Wine Cafe
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
Queeraoke - 8:00pm at Loose Moose Saloon
All ages until 10:00pm
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Jessica Flatequal Pride Parade - 11:15am
on Riverfront Drive
Sponsored by Mayo Clinic Health System
Pride Festival - 12:00-4:00pm
Riverfront Park
Drag Show, Vendors & Food, Kids Activity Tent, and more!
Get your festival tee and make it your own at the tie-dye station!
Performer Line-Up:
Gosh Alice Jones (VENMO: @GOSHALICEJONES)
Luna Muse (VENMO: @CAMPEDERSON-LUNAMUSE)
Wanda Gag (VENMO: @WYATT-GAG)
Ava Cado (VENMO: @ITSMISSAVACADO)
Chanel Midwest (VENMO: @AUSTIN-HAGERT)
Onya Deek (VENMO: @QUEEN_ONYA)
Hunky Dory (VENMO: @ITSHUNKYDORY)
Jule Aray (VENMO: @JULEARAY16)
Pride Party - 4:00pm at Atomic Star Tavern
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Drag Brunches - 9:00am, 11:30am, & 2:00pm at Nolabelle
Youth Party - 2:00-4:00pm at Wow!Zone
FREE event for youth in middle or high school
DEDICATION
This year's Pridefest is dedicated to Drag Me With A Spoon! Wanda Gag and Ava Cado started their company in the fall of 2020 as a way to bring year-round drag to Mankato and showcase fabulous local performers.
Many of their shows donate a percentage of proceeds to nonprofits, including SCMN Pride. Investing in the community is important to them, because “being a Queen is a leadership role.”
Wanda and Ava have recently moved to the cities, but still make it a priority to come back to the Mankato area for regular shows. “Our hearts are still in Mankato,” said Wanda. There are more opportunities in the cities, and those events allow them to continue to host shows in the Mankato area.
Wanda and Ava gave some advice for the local queer community. Wanda: “Don’t give up! Go to local queer events to have fun and meet people, and be your authentic self!" Ava: "BE QUEER. Get organized! Make connections and be part of the conversation."
Thank you Drag Me With A Spoon for your continued support and for bringing joy to our community!
SPONSORS
