PrideFest Is Going On Tour!
PrideFest is a community celebration of LGBTQ+ pride that features food, music, live entertainment, artists, games and more. This year PrideFest will take place over three weekends, from 4pm-8pm, in three different towns across Southwest Michigan!
The first Cass County PrideFest will be on June 8th at the Dowagiac Library Pavilion.
The second annual Michiana PrideFest will be on June 15th at Niles’ Riverfront Park.
The third annual Twin Cities PrideFest will be on June 22nd at Benton Harbor’s Dwight P. Mitchell Park on Main Street.
The OutCenter is your community center. Whether you live in Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren county we are there for you 52 weeks a year. For PrideFest 2024 we are proud to collaborate with a team of fantastic organizers from across the tri-county area to bring more PrideFest events to more communities than ever before.
Committee Members: Gerik Nasstrom, Shannon Lyons, Eileen Crouse, Hailey Colpitts, Anji Jones, LaJuan Mabians, Gwen Doneruse, Tony Doneruse, and Alex Osborne
Naming Opportunities!
This year OutCenter is introducing a new way to advertise your business/organization at PrideFest events: Naming Opportunities. Naming Opportunities provide sponsors the chance to engage with PrideFest, and it’s attendees, while supporting the continued growth of these impactful events. Between the events in Benton Harbor and Niles last year we had over 1400 people in attendance with this year shaping up to be bigger and better. Each event has opportunities for a Stage Naming Sponsor, Kids Area Sponsor, Health and Wellness Zone Sponsor, and a Drag Show Presenting Sponsor. Naming opportunity forms must be completed by Friday, May 3rd.
Become a Sponsor!
Show your pride with us this summer! Becoming a sponsor of OutCenter Southwest Michigan provides you with a number of opportunities to be a part of, and promote, your business during Pride month. Last year we had over 1400 people at our Pride events in downtown Benton Harbor and Niles. Sponsorship perks range from having your logo included on our PrideFest sponsorship banner to being able to have a sponsor booth at all three of our events. To benefit from all of your PrideFest sponsorship perks, make sure you sponsor before the deadline of Friday, May 3rd.
Be a Part of PrideFest!
Apply to be a vendor at one, or all, of our PrideFest events! Please take a moment to complete one of the forms below by Friday, May 3rd. Vendors will be approved on a month to month basis.
Vendor Booths
We are excited to offer local businesses, affirming faith-based organizations, community groups, and nonprofits the opportunity to become a vendor at one, or more, of our PrideFest events! Upon approval all vendors will be required to pay a vendor fee of $100 per event to secure their spot. Sponsors of $250 or more are able to have a vendor space at all three of our events with no additional fee.
Artisan Booths
Since our first PrideFest in 2022 we have always strived to fill our events with exciting, local, and queer-owned vendors. To make our events as accessible as possible we reserve a limited number of free spaces for local artists, artisans, small businesses and food vendors at each of our three PrideFest events. If you do not fall into those categories, or if you are not in need of a free space, please complete the regular vendor application.
Volunteer Opportunities
PrideFest would not be possible without the incredible support of our community! It takes a lot of hands to make sure PrideFest is a fun, and safe, event. If you are interested in being a part of this year’s volunteer team, fill out the form at the link below!
Our Fabulous Sponsors!
Lyons Industries, Corewell, Comcast, Four Winds Casino, Molina Healthcare, Nobo, Lake Michigan College, Intercare Community Health Network, Disability Network Southwest Michigan, Honor Credit Union, Keller & Keller
