BURLINGTON, IA. — A nationally-known vocalist, upcoming regional recording artists, yet another blockbuster vendor fair, and artistic visual highlights like the Lisa Frank Lounge are what you’ll find Saturday at Pride on the Riverfront.
And that’s just during the three-hour festival. Organizers anticipate a crowd nearing 4,000 packing the waterfront area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Clockwise from top left: Taystee, performing Saturday evening; headliner Cali Wilson, performing at 11:30 a.m.; August Gonzalez, lead singer of Sangronomics, performing at 1:30 p.m.; Roximanicoochee, performing at 12:10 p.m.; and Jerry Johnson, parade grand marshal.
“Last year, we pulled in people from around the state,” says Myra Goldie, president of the nonprofit Pride on the Riverfront, also known as Btown Pride. “A lot of people made the drive. We love the ability to celebrate our community here, but also show off our community to outsiders.”
Also featured during an early-morning to late-night Pride celebration that stretches into Sunday in this Illinois/Iowa border town: a “morning mindfulness” gathering, a 30-entry parade, evening movies on both nights, a Saturday evening indoor show featuring beloved regional drag performers, and a Sunday morning Pride brunch.
Take a close look at the line-up for Burlington as it celebrates Pride on the Riverfront at the Port of Burlington and the downtown district:
‘The Voice’ star Cali Wilson, top local greeter Jerry Johnson in the spotlight
For those seeking an early start, an 8 a.m. meditation session on the Burlington Capitol Theatre lawn kicks off Saturday. The half-hour session is one of many new features in this year’s event, says Goldie.
10 a.m.: the festival’s second annual parade steps off, featuring 30 entries. Jerry Johnson — who helped found the parade last year, serves on the board of the Greater Burlington Partnership, and champions all downtown activities — will be honored as grand marshal.
“He’s a pillar of Burlington and the queer community,” says Goldie, who noted Johnson has been involved in city activities for more than 15 years. “He has just been a constant presence, and he’s the happiest, nicest, sweetest most helpful guy.”
11 a.m.: The festival begins, with new features that include a Lisa Frank Lounge of vivid color, crafts and relaxation by Public Space one from Iowa City, and decorative arches and other “photo opp” settings.
11:30 a.m.: Cali Wilson, the Mount Pleasant, Ia., native who wowed viewers as a Top 13 performer on The Voice in 2019, takes the stage for a half-hour performance.
Above, Sangronomics, a rock/hip-hop band led by August Gonzalez, takes the stage at 1:30 p.m.
12:10 p.m.: Roxi Manacoochee, a Minneapolis drag artist that brings the lounge style to the drag stage, offers a 30-minute show.
12:50 p.m.: Peoria singer/songwriter Joshua Allen performs his self-described “sad boy” songs.
1:30 p.m.: The live original and cover band Sangromantics, led by August Gonzalez’s deep vocals, closes out the festival with a half-hour set.
7 p.m.: “But I’m a Cheerleader” screens at the Burlington Capitol Theatre.
8 p.m.: in a cast led by Burlington legend Cokeena Addiction, Pride After Dark offers another chance to celebrate out of the heat. Tickets are $10 for this adults-only show.
9 a.m. to noon Sunday: This three-hour brunch at Wake n Bake Breakfast is open to all ages.
Noon Sunday: “Paris is Burning,” the documentary classic about the trans-dominated world of New York City ball culture, offers another “out of the heat’ experience.
For more information about btownpride, see btownpride.com or the group’s Facebook page.
