National names at CR Pride Fest, After-Party Saturday
CEDAR RAPIDS — Three nationally-known drag queens, several local live bands, and lots of beloved local queens and kings take the stage Saturday in Cedar Rapids for CR Pride Fest, among Iowa’s three largest annual Pride fests. The day begins at 11 a.m. with a walking-style Pride parade (deadline to sign up: midnight Friday), stepping off at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE. That’s also where the festival happens from noon to 6 p.m. NewBo’s regular tenants will be open, and scores of other business and community resource vendors will also be on hand. A Kids’ Zone offers face-painting, a bounce house, and balloon art. Those nationally-known queens include Q and Cynthia Doll of Kansas City: and Las Vegas’ Daya Betty. After the fest, CR Pride also hosts a 21+ after-party at CSPS Hall, across the street from NewBo at 1103 3rd St. SE, featuring some of the day’s performers, plus more. Tickets for that show are $40 to $75; grab yours here. All events are coordinated by the nonprofit CR Pride.
Fairfield Pride features film, drag, games, picnic, guests
FAIRFIELD — Three days of Pride kick off today in this southeastern Iowa town, featuring film, drag, a picnic, special guests, community resources, and more. Tonight’s celebration features trivia, and a screening of “Romance Cleanup in Aisle Five,” an LGBTQ+ short-film romance by Richard Morell, at The Noble House Kava, 115 N. Main St. Later, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., you can find drag and karaoke at The Hideaway Alley Bar, 113 1/2 N Court St. Saturday night, it’s for adults only when The Depot at 500 N. 4th St., hosts a BYOB Pride Variety Show, plus Loud & Proud, with drag and dancing all night. Family time is Sunday at Central Park, 107 S. Main St., from 1 to 4 p.m. That’s when the Picnic In the Park features not only vendors, food trucks, and kids’ fun, but also special guests State Rep. Aime Wichtendahl (D-Hiawatha), Iowa’s first openly transgender elected official, and Heather Ryan, the brains and boisterous humor behind the influencer pages of Bitches Get Stuff Done. All events are presented by the Fairfield Pride Committee.
Party in the Parking Lot supports mental health, hospice care
IOWA CITY — Help raise money for the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Johnson County, and The Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County, at Sunday’s Party in the Parking Lot. The day features live music by the cover band 8Track Therapy, food trucks from Marco’s Grilled Cheese and Paco’s Tacos, and free water. You’re encouraged to bring lawn chairs — and to dance — at this celebration hosted annually by Lensing Funeral & Cremation Services. The party is 3:30 to 7 p.m. at The Kirkwood Room, 605 Kirkwood Ave.
