“Seen, Valued, Never Alone”
WHITEWATER — The Whitewater community will celebrate unity and embracing of differences at its fifth-annual Pride Rally Saturday, Oct. 4.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cravath Lakefront Park in downtown Whitewater.
“Celebrating five years of our local Whitewater Pride reminds us that when we come together in unity, we create a community rooted in joy, strengthened by pride, and committed to justice,” Kim Simes, executive vice president of external affairs for Family Equality and a founding committee member of Whitewater Pride, said in a release.
‘As we honor this milestone, we also send love and support to LGBTQ+ people everywhere — especially our youth — reminding them they are seen, valued, and never alone,” Simes
In the release, Whitewater Pride said it is “dedicated to bringing the LGBTQ+ community and allies together. Their mission is to foster diversity, inclusion, and pride in the Whitewater community. Their vision is to create an open, affirmative, and accepting environment for all people, with a focus on celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.”
Whitewater City Manager, John Weidl, said he’s seen that “in the military, in the classroom, and in City Hall, I’ve seen that strength comes from unity and from embracing our differences.”
“That’s why my wife and I are proud to call ourselves a Warhawk student and alum, and why I’m proud to stand with Whitewater Pride on this joyous day,” Weidl said in the release.
The event will include the UWW Marching Band, community and statewide speakers, live music, interactive dancing, an open mic, inclusive vendors, and food trucks, including Sampa’s Tacos and Rocky Rococo’s. Speakers are set to include state Sen. Mark Spreitzer, state Rep. Brienne Brown, UWW Chancellor Corey King, and Watertown Unified School District Superintendent Sam Karns, who will discuss the state of the LGBTQ+ movement and support locally and nationally.
A children’s area will offer a bounce house, face painting, activities, and story time with a selection of LGBTQ+ children’s books.
Leashed pets are welcome and can participate in a Pride Pet Costume Contest.
“I am excited to join Whitewater Pride and help foster an atmosphere of inclusion, acceptance, and celebration throughout the city,” Spreitzer said in the release. “I look forward to gathering with the community to celebrate all we have accomplished and loudly proclaim that we’re here, we’re proud to be here, and we’re going to celebrate Pride all year long.”
Attendees should note that drone footage will be taken around 12 p.m. on the day of the event for marketing purposes. Announcements will be made prior to the drone flying, pointing out several areas to seek cover if attendees do not want to be filmed.
This year’s Pride Rally sponsors include Whitewater Unites Lives, Zumidy Media, Coburn Company, Madison Technical College, First English Lutheran Church, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Rodriguez Rentalz, Fort Health-Care, First Weber Real Estate, Fort Community Credit Union, Stellar Vintage, Sampa’s Tacos, LGBTQ+ Walworth County, the UWW PB Poorman Pride Center, and Pet Supplies Plus of Whitewater.
For more information visit www.whitewaterpride.org, Instagram @whitewaterpride, or Facebook at Whitewater Pride.
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