Hordes of queers—and their family, friends and allies—descended on downtown Oak Park with the inaugural Out in the Burbs Pride Festival on June 7.
The one-day event was produced and coordinated with neighboring River Forest and presented a day of community for everyone and featured drag performances, a special teen section, live music, plenty of local venders, a wide assortment of local dining options—and a lot of heart.
Live music was provided by DJ Zeetus Lapetas, celebrated rapper and queer librarian Roy Kinsey, sassy femme quartet The Divas, hard soul siren Rhea the Second and gay festival favorites Too Much Molly. Drag performances included Chanel Mercedes-Benz, Dymond Onasis, Kimberly Summers and Riley.
The drag performers went over especially well with the small children dancing about and doing somersaults during the performances.
The event was produced by Oak Park/Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Darion Marion-Burton and Donnie Biggins of Harmonica Dunn. Sponsors for the event included Ace Handyman Services, Heal, Empower Family Services, Grachan Realty, Fulton Grace, Oak Park Arts League, Sparkle Aesthetics and Oak Park/River Forest Chamber of Commerce.
