North Texas Pride Fest 2016: Come As You Are

If you happen to see a few more rainbows than usual in North Texas on September 10, it’s not the weather. It’s the North Texas Pride Fest!

The event is celebrating its sixth year in Collin/Denton County, and this festival is one for the entire family. Over the years it’s taken place in McKinney, Lewisville, and Plano, where attendees like the Honorable Phil Dyer and the incoming Plano Mayor Harry LaRosiliere showed their support for the LGBTQ community and had a great ol’ time. (See, even they like rainbows.)

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2015’s North Texas Pride Festival // photos courtesy North Texas Pride Foundation

North Texas Pride Festival got its start in McKinney back in 2011 when a group of dedicated volunteers decided that Collin County and neighboring areas had a LGBTQ population large enough to have its own yearly pride event. (Why should Dallas have all of the fun?) “Come As You Are” was born outside Aparicio’s Mexican Restaurant in McKinney.

September in North Texas is the perfect time for this event. Summer’s over, traffic is insane again and the kids have been back in school for a couple of weeks, so everyone needs a little outdoor, animal-balloon-twisting, glittery fun. Bring out the whole brood to this family event!

Adults can enjoy food, drinks and live music while the kids go burn off some energy in the bounce house, cool off on the water slide and let the face-painting artists transform them into beautiful unicorns. There will be games and raffle prizes as well as lots of dancing and entertainment. This year’s line-up includes musician Sam Tolson, DJ Enrique Salinas, The Tyler Rogers Band, vocalists Jessica Grai and Chris Chism, belly dancers and special surprise drag show performances.

Proceeds from the event benefit North Texas Pride Foundation, whose mission is to educate and advocate for unity, equality and community integrations for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies through forums and events that promote pride and self-acceptance, education, awareness and social interaction.

Location:  Louisiana Street Grill, 350 E. Louisiana Street, McKinney, TX
Date:  Saturday, September 10, 2016
Time:  1:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.
Cost:  $10 at the door; $6 online before the event. (Kids 12 & under are FREE)

North Texas Pride Fest >

 

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