Because love is love, and everyone deserves the same human rights, activists and community members will be hosting Pride Fest at Yunker Farm ( 10824 W La Porte Rd, Mokena, Illinois ) on Sunday, June 10.
#PrideFestMokena will be a fun, educational and empowering event for people of all ages made possible with the sponsorships from the community. The sponsorship opportunity was open to everyone and was heavily advertised, In addition, political leaders on both sides of the aisle were individually approached by SWSA. Sponsors for the event include Fortress Flooring, Product Sound, Gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker, Cross of Glory Church in Homer Glen, Illinois House Candidate Matt Hunt, Computer Greeks, the Gortowski Family, the Gignac Family, the Hoblin Family, Peg Donnellan, Mary Boyle from Prairie River Counseling and Consulting, Will County Board candidate Amanda Koch, and the Blue Moon Coven.
"We are thrilled to be having this event in the Lincolnway area because it is a way to empower the area youth, make a PRIDE event more accessible to suburban families, and highlight the history of PRIDE and all of the work that has been done in the past surrounding equality. We plan to educate while we celebrate and create an experience where everyone feels loved and accepted. Pride Fest Mokena is a tremendous opportunity to amplify voices and experiences in our community that many times are not included", says Southwest Suburban Activists Director Emily Biegel
Pide Fest, held in Mokena, will include live bands, speakers, female impersonator performances, yoga in the park, hula hoop performances, readings of children's books, yard games, a voter registration table, information from various not for profits, items for sale from local artists and entrepreneurs, and delicious food vendors. Confirmed speakers and performers include: Sammy Live, Kris Robin, Dymond-Champagne Calloway, Keri Traid, Dominique Delvecchio, Greg Millikin, Cross of Glory Band, Cheryl Rodey Music, Danielle Nolan-Ragland, Cody VandeZande, PFit Yoga, and Intrinsic Arts.
The Southwest Suburban Activists ( SWSA ) work to bring tolerance, empathy, and solidarity to the south and southwest suburbs. The group started in 2017 with just ten people in Emily Biegel's kitchen and has grown to an organization of over 600 members. In the past, they have held numerous, wildly successful events including: FEM Fest, a March For Our Lives sibling March, a March to the Polls Pre Party, a Women's March on International Women's Day, a vigil for Syrian refugees, a Nasty Woman Art Exhibit in Kankakee, an Equality March for Unity and Pride, candidate forums, and mobilized to hold Palos Township Trustee Sharon Brannigan accountable for anti-Muslim statements made on Facebook.
SWSA will continue to hold similar events throughout the southland this summer and fall while also working on getting out the vote for the 2018 elections.
For more information, please see: www.facebook.com/events/433799420375883/ .
