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Partly Cloudy Inaugural Pride on the Nautical Mile event
Pride makes a splash with spectacular turnout and support
The inaugural Pride on the Nautical Mile event took place on June 10, attracting a significant turnout and generating a positive response from attendees.
Event organizer and president of Sparkle on Stage, Robyn Workman expressed their satisfaction with the turnout, noting that the venue was filled with no empty tables in sight.
“It was the first pride on the Mile, and it was fabulous,” Workman said. “We had a lot of traffic, and a lot of the vendors were happy.”
The event was co-founded by Joseph Anthony Smith, a Freeport resident and his active member with the LGBT Network, along with his husband, Jose Cuevas.
The event featured a diverse range of attractions and activities that took place on the Nautical Mile that evening. The concert, led by Smith and his choir, known as the Chosen Family Choir, showcased numerous performers. Additionally, a pride market was set up inside Sparkle on Stage, featuring around 10 different vendors.
One of the highlights of the event was the Triangle, a performance by three drag queens that entertained the attendees. The support of the LGBT Network was instrumental in making the event a success.
Vendors reported a constant flow of visitors and expressed their happiness with the event’s success. The drag array was a particular hit, selling out completely. Due to the show’s popularity, another drag array is scheduled for July 8.
Legislator Debra Mulé was present at the event and participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion as the first annual Pride on the Nautical Mile. Workman received citations from Mulé, further recognizing the significance of the event.
“The success of Pride on the Mile was a beautiful reflection of Freeport’s embrace of LGBTQ+ people and their many contributions to our community throughout the year,” Mulé said. “However, this level of acceptance is not replicated in every part of our country, and we all must remain vigilant and engaged in the ongoing quest for full equality. I thank everyone who contributed to the success of this inaugural event, and I am excited for future pride celebrations in the Freeport community.”
Encouraged by this year’s accomplishments, Workman has plans to make Pride on the Nautical Mile an annual tradition, with the aim of expanding and improving the event each year.
