Lodi Pride Festival returns for second year of ‘compassion, energy and love’
Following a successful first year, the Lodi Pride Festival is back Saturday, June 4 to stage a celebration of love, acceptance and visibility.
“Nobody expected the pride festival to pop up in this city when usually pride festivals only happen in big cities like Stockton, San Francisco, LA you know the pride festivals are like a big city thing," said Kathleen Ellis, Lodi Pride Festival coordinator, A New Lodi Organization executive founding board member.
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"But the very fact that Lodi needs it so much is very much the reason why we're having it here.”
Ellis said she experienced retaliation herself for coming out in Lodi as an adult. She said it’s a common narrative in Lodi for adults in their 30s to remain closeted and coming out not being an option for them.
“We've heard the rhetoric of Lodi being antiquated and it keeps a lot of diversity away. Gay people move away from here. People of color stay away from here,” Ellis said.
Lodi needed a change, Ellis said and she wanted to make a change, so she used her voice and resources to do so.
“I feel like I'm just trying to expedite the process and help these people in my community who have it within them to accept one another exactly how they are without hiding any part of their true colors,” Ellis said.
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Last year, more than 1,700 people attended the free event, they anticipate 3,000 will attend this year, Ellis said.
Lodi Japanese American Pop artist Mikara is the opening act for the event. Headliners for the festival are singer Donovan Lowe and Singer-guitarist Lolah Nguyen. The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus will also be performing. ASL interpreters will be present at the festival to accommodate the deaf and hard of hearing community.
“It's going to be a way bigger festival,” Ellis said.
Sacramento comedian Melissa McGillicuddy along with Hellen Heels are some of the returning entertainment stars from last year.
“I think the Lodi Pride Festival is really just trying to show people that Lodi can be a home and not a closet.” she said.
If you go
When: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday, June 4
Where: Highwater Brewery, 927 Industrial Way, Lodi
Admission: Free
Information: bit.ly/3NSA1qJ
Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Lodi Pride Festival a celebration of love, acceptance, visibility
