Loud music, laughter and community filled the air at Cravath Lakefront Park during the annual Whitewater Pride Rally Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Seeing all the people being able to relax and be themselves is really nice,” said Jennifer Cooper, a volunteer for the rally. “I think it’s incredibly important for people to understand that there are people within their community that exist in the same space as them so that they feel safe and there are people who support them. Events like this pull us all together and make us see that there are people all around that love and support us.”
The event, hosted by Whitewater Pride, originated in 2021. The very first pride rally was held Oct. 23 at the Birge Fountain on Main St. In 2022, the rally made its home at Cravath Lakefront Park. 2023 was considered its “year of expansion,” with 10 events hosted throughout the year, ending the year with the pride rally on Oct. 21.
For 2024, Whitewater Pride focused on giving back to the community. In March, they made their first steps to becoming a 501(c)((3) non-profit organization by electing a board of directors.
Whitewater Pride also raised funds for 14 Whitewater High School GSA students to attend the “Night of Noise” celebration in Illinois, donated funds to the Whitewater High School robotics team to attend a competition in Texas and funded two pride scholarships for Whitewater High School’s GSA.
While June is typically Pride Month, October is LGBTQ History Month. That way, UW-Whitewater students could be included in the celebration.
“I love that there’s a pride event in the Whitewater area,” said Rei Clawthorne, a first-time attendee. “It’s been such a warm welcome and a very inviting group. There’s usually not that many resources for young adults and youth who may need it, and this provides a good safe space where they might be able to find some of those resources.”
This year’s rally included a live DJ, performances from local drag artists, a pet costume contest, activities for children and many tents for sponsors and vendors. Vendors sold items like keychains, stickers, handmade crochet items, lanyards, pins, tote bags, apparel, baked goods and so much more.
Sponsors also set up tents. The rally was sponsored by Discover Whitewater, Fort HealthCare, T-Mobile, Fort
Community Credit Union, Stellar Vintage, Botanica Beauty Parlor, Whitewater Unites Lives, Generac, WisDems, TDS Telecommunications, Coburn and Madison Area Technical College.
Among 33 vendor and sponsor tents, Irving L. Young Memorial Library set out a blanket and chairs so that younger attendees could sit down and read books about LGBTQ icons and history in a children’s book format.
“It’s so colorful and there’s so much support in the community. Everyone’s so positive,” said Rachel Clift, a representative for the library. “It’s so important for the community to have events like this because we’re telling people that no one is alone and no one has to hide. That’s the way that community should be.”
The rally ended with a silent donation and a raffle for a glass pride tree wind chime. The highest donor received the prize. As 2 p.m. rolled around, community members exchanged goodbyes and phone numbers. Chappell Roan’s “Red Wine Supernova” was playing as vendors and sponsors packed up their belongings and merchandise, waiting for next year’s event.
“I’m looking forward to next year’s rally,” said Clawthorne. “I think it’s amazing and that it has the potential to grow into something greater if we’re able to get more sponsors. But so far, it’s doing great.”
The Whitewater Pride Rally is held annually and includes fun for the whole family. Next year’s rally will take place Oct. 4. For more information about Whitewater Pride and the rally, visit the Whitewater Pride website.
