Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – June 11, 2024 – Main Street turned into a party on Saturday with the culmination of PRIDEfest 2024.

The morning began with showers, cooling off what would soon be the hottest event happening in Jonesboro that day. Vendors from all over the region started early, setting up canopies and sorting their art, food, and crafts in preparation for the horde of Pride-goers. Then, just before noon, the sun split the clouds and the bright colors were on full display!

Flamboyantly proud spectators showed up and showed out in decked out droves to listen to opening remarks by Chris Oswalt, Executive Director of NEA Progress. The message conveyed sentiments of being “undermined, marginalized, and silenced” by a large part of society. However, this day was theirs to live authentically and comfortably without harm and with others who believe in inclusivity and acceptance. The brief prelude set the tone for the day and now the party was officially underway.

Approximately 6,500 people attended the festival to see a “dazzling spectrum” of individuality. A panel of LGBTQ+ members discussed misconceptions and challenges that come along with being gay or trans in today’s world. Topics of identity, individuality, and sexuality were talked about openly and honestly as people filled downtown.

It seemed as though local restaurants benefited from the masses, too, which allowed established Main Street restaurants to profit. The passion with which the artists performed and the positivity that emanated from the crowd proved that this year’s PRIDEfest was highly successful!

NEA Progress Executive Director Chris Oswalt said in a statement, “What an incredible NEA PRIDEfest we had this year. With a record crowd of 6,500 people, a record number of performers, and a record number of vendors, you all showed your true colors and proved to NEA that love will always win.”

The Sunday brunch that followed PRIDEfest was the icing on the cake for what proved to be a spectacular weekend.

A sold out Drag Brunch hosted by The Parsonage on Sunday afternoon had ticket holders dancing and lip-syncing along with their favorite queens, like the one and only RebekAh Random.

To set the stage, picture a large restaurant packed to the gills with families feasting on Chef John Myers’ absolutely delectable buffet (ALL the breakfast items). Not a seat open, as diners were seated downstairs, upstairs, and outside and stood in corners to catch the show. I wondered where the actual stage was, then I found out.

If you’ve never been to this sort of show, it’s all about attitude! Catty queens poking fun at each other in a theatrical onslaught of spellbinding routines; each performer trying to outshine the last. The artist, Austin Tacious went bounding up the steps in a vibrant costume. Liv Laf Lauv went dashing between tables in an extravagant wig. They even made it out to the patio to show off their skillfully applied make-up. The talent was truly amazing! The showmanship, timing, memorization and rehearsal time to pull off this kind of gig is not easy, but they put on a flawless spectacle!

The crowd ate it up. Dollar bills waved in onlookers’ hands as they tried to fuel their favorite Queen to push themselves to the limit. The soundtrack had the place jumping. The comedy had everyone cackling. Ramey Myers, Parsonage co-owner, and her staff were beyond accommodating! If you haven’t tried a drag brunch, give it a go! It’s the perfect blend of dinner and a show.