South Knoxville Pride celebration is back June 10 and bigger than ever

SoKno Pride started out as a simple drag show brunch in 2021, according to co-founder Jimi Miller. “It is a block party, definitely not your traditional Pride festival or parade,” he said.

The idea was formed when the downtown festival was canceled during the pandemic and a few years had elapsed since the last event for the LGBTQ+ community. The response was overwhelming. “It was shocking,” said Miller. “We anticipated 400 people, I think we had 4,000.”

Miller credits the popularity of the event to its grassroots, small community feel. “It is open to anyone, and people tell me it feels so personal. And that makes me really happy,” he said. “It is a big gathering of friends, rather than just a massive downtown event.”

On June 10, SoKno Pride will kick off at 8 a.m. with a SloKno Running Club-sponsored 5K fun run. Then at 10 a.m. there will be Yoga with Amberly Yoga at Hi-Wire Brewing. “We love to start Pride off with fun outdoorsy activities and exercise,” said Miller.

At noon there will be an opening ceremony and Honkers & Bangers Parade in front of Simpl. and Alliance Brewing Co. “Almost every business on Sevier Avenue will have some vendors set up,” said Miller, the vendor coordinator.

Instead of a traditional parade, Miller says people will bounce from business to business. “Last year we had 87 vendors, this year we have 160. We have a wait list of 70 right now. I try to be fair and do it on a first-come first-served basis.”

Entertainment will be on three stages in addition to the main area in front of Alliance and Simpl., where the opening and closing ceremonies will happen at noon and 6 p.m. Queerfest Nashville will be at Trailhead Beer Market, and musicians and drag shows will be hosted at Hi-Wire Brewing, Landing House, Red Bud Kitchen, Fly by Night and Southside Garage.

“We have a really great production manager this year,” said Miller. “Same as it Ever Was is a Talking Heads tribute group, and the Appalachian Equality Chorus will be performing 'Diva Throwbacks.'”To help counter the effects of the hot weather, SoKno Pride is working with KUB to set up a watering station and misting tent in front of Everything Mushrooms, and Frog Kombucha will have a sober space selling mocktails.

An all-ages area with fun vendors will be set up near South Knoxville Elementary to keep the younger crowd occupied, according to Miller. “We get a lot of diversity in what people are looking for, so we are doing our best to accommodate everyone’s interests,” he said. “It isn’t just about getting together and drinking a bunch of alcohol; it is much, much more than that.”

A long list of sponsors from all over Knoxville are helping to cover the costs and raise money for beneficiaries such as Bryant’s Bridge, Publicly Private, Choice Health Network, Shora Foundation, Rooted East, Appalachian Equality Chorus, Appalachian OUTreach, and Youth Villages.

“We have some great nonprofit vendors this year, and we are donating the majority of proceeds to help fight food apartheid and support the homeless LGBTQ population,” said Miller.

In the run-up to the third annual event, fundraisers have been held at SoKno Taco Cantina, Pretentious Beer Company, South Press and the Melting Pot.

Food will be available for purchase during SoKno Pride from local restaurants, and this year for the first time there will be food trucks.

Organizers have hired a trolley to make getting to and from SoKno Pride easier. “Pickups will start at Dwight Kessel Garage on State Street, just across the river,” said Miller. “We have additional parking at Suttree Landing Park and underneath the bridge across from Trailhead Beer Market.”

Also for the first time there will be a police presence to help manage traffic flow.

The party continues after SoKno Pride with a Silent Disco at Hi-Wire, a Pride Disco at Honeybee Coffee and afterparty at SoKno Taco Cantina.

“We are doing everything in our power to keep this event fun, and give our community a day to try and have fun,” said Miller.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: South Knoxville Pride is back June 10 and bigger than ever