Fierce Fiesta
Returning after an iconic inaugural year, the Katherine Pride Festival once again lights up K-Town for three fun-filled days to celebrate diversity, acceptance and rainbows.
By Kate Conway
While last year’s theme, Hope, was all about looking forward in the wake of the first wave of the pandemic, Fierce is the flame behind both the Katherine and Darwin Pride Festivals, with the main view of championing advocacy.
“We need to get on with advocating for what our community is entitled to, and there is still so much injustice to LGBTQI+ people,” says Ben Herdon, Chair of the Katherine Pride Festival Sub Committee.
“The fierceness of this brand is that we want people to rally together and be a tight community that has each other’s back and will advocate for equality.”
Fierce can take on different meanings for individuals but acknowledges that, while the fight for equality isn’t over, there is still so much to be celebrated. The weekend is jam-packed with frivolities to do just that.
Join special guest drag queen and fierce supporter of the Katherine Pride Festival, Wonder Mama of Sydney, hosting her popular Drink and Draw art classes.
It wouldn’t be a Pride Festival without Drag Queen Bingo, which is always a hit. This year, organisers have added a new angle to the crowd-pleasing, sparkling event.
“We’ve still got the drag queens hosting it but we’ve called it Bears and Bombshells Bingo, and we’ve got some guest presenters on the night to add a bit of difference,” Herdon says.
While Bears and Bombshells is sure to be a party event on the calendar, Dine with Pride at Kumbidgee Restaurant is a classy affair, offering diners a three-course dinner with a purpose.
“We want it to be a real community building and networking space for the festival. It is a sit-down dinner, but there will also be entertainment, opportunities to dance, and some places to break away from the group and chat in a bean bag to network for a bit,” says Herdon.
For Katherine to have a growing Pride Festival is a source of pride in itself, highlighting the strength of community, and the support of allies.
“There is still a way to go, but Katherine feels quite safe for a town that is quite small and country. One of the best outcomes of the festival is the community coming together and getting to know people, and knowing they have got your back is really significant. It has been really great seeing who is supportive of us in this town,” says Herdon.
The action in K-Town kicks off the weekend before Darwin Pride Festival unleashes the fierceness in Darwin. So get dressed up, get the crew together to let the good times roll. It’s time to get fierce.
Katherine Pride Festival
WHEN FRI 17 – SUN 19 JUN
AT SELECTED VENUES
COST FREE AND TICKETED EVENTS
Darwin Pride Festival
WHEN THU 23 – SUN 26 JUN
AT SELECTED VENUES
COST FREE AND TICKETED EVENTS
INFO topendpride.com.au
