Potsdam Pride Fest will be at Pine Street Arena, Ives Park June 7 to 8
May 26—POTSDAM — Potsdam Pride Fest is returning on June 7 and 8.
The event will feature drag shows, a festival in Ives Park with live music and two dance parties.
Potsdam Pride is a local grassroots organization that hosts social events such as the pride festivities.
"I think it's going to be a good turnout this year," Potsdam Pride coordinator Rebecca Donnelly said. "I'm really excited."
June 7 will feature a drag show at Pine Street Arena. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show at 7 p.m. It will feature seven local amateur drag performers, along with Amber Skyy, Hunter Down, Stella Progress, Philly Pina and Seth Bacher, who last year performed an aerial dance routine.
The amateur performers all participated in a recent drag clinic with Amber Skyy and Hunter Down.
Bacher's entertainment company is bringing a stage and will also run lights and sound. Last year's Friday night drag show sold out, so event organizers are renting more chairs this year to accommodate additional people.
Right afterward will be an adult dance party that goes until 1 a.m. DJ Murrburr will play music at both events.
Both the Friday night prom and dance party are for ages 18 and up. McDuff's will serve a cash bar with ID required for alcoholic drinks. Admission to the drag show is $10. Tickets are available at potsdampride.org/events or find the group on Facebook or Instagram. Admission to the dance party only is free.
Saturday's events will feature a day festival with live music in Ives Park and an all-ages pride prom in the evening.
The Pride Fest starts at 10 a.m. with a yoga class by Sarah Mae. Proceeds will go to Point of Pride, a charity organization that helps pay for gender-affirming care and surgeries.
Starting at 11 a.m., there will be more than 55 vendors and three food trucks. The live music starts at 11 a.m. with the Boyden Brook Band, then a family-friendly drag show at noon. Uprooted plays at 1:30 p.m., and Benjamin Mombou goes on at 2:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. There will be Pride Festival T-shirts for sale with the logo designed by SUNY Potsdam student Emily Howland.
Following the Pride Fest from 4 to 5 p.m., St. Lawrence Health is hosting its Walk with a Doc event at the nearby Munter Trail. The topic will be "A Celebration of Pride Month: St. Lawrence Health's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion." Members of St. Lawrence Health's DEI Committee and healthcare team will be available to walk and talk with community members at their own pace. Water, healthy snacks and giveaways will be provided. The event is free and open to people of all ages and abilities. Registration is not required.
The all-ages Pride Prom will be at Pine Street Arena from 6 to 9 p.m. DJ Murrburr is providing music. Admission is $10 or free with a student ID. The event is co-sponsored by the Potsdam High School GSA club.
Potsdam Pride's major community partner is Planned Parenthood of the North Country, a 501c3 non-profit that assists with Potsdam Pride's self-funded finances.
The bands are being paid by funding from New York State's Statewide Community Regrants Program, New York State Council on the Arts program administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.
