Celebrating Inclusivity at Naper Pride Fest
On Saturday, September 14, Naper Pride hosted its third annual Naper Pride Fest at Naper Settlement. This family-friendly event, running from noon to 10 pm, featured live entertainment, over 70 vendors, a beer garden for those over 21, and food trucks. According to Cristy Kennedy, spokesperson for Naper Pride, “Pride Fest is for everyone. It’s not only for those in the LGBTQ community. We want our allies here as well. We want anyone coming and supporting who has a great, positive attitude and wants to be a part of the community.”
Creating a Positive Space for LGBTQ Youth
Naper Pride aims to promote inclusivity, particularly focusing on LGBTQ youth. Kennedy highlights the importance of this mission, noting the high rates of depression and suicide among LGBTQ youth. “As an organization, we try to stay extremely family-friendly. Make sure there are lots of events, lots of things to make everyone feel a part of the community,” she says.
Entertainment Highlights
The festival showcased a variety of entertainment acts, including drag performances and cover bands. Some of the featured acts were:
- Mira & Willa
- Bach to Rock
- Dance performances by Keri Traid, Fonda LaFemme, & Sebastian
- Weekend Run Club
- Cheryl Rodey Band
- Beyond the Blonde
- Mostly Miley Cyrus
- Dance performance by The Boys of Summer – Fer Cardin III, Mark, & Glamonster
- Robert Bartko as George Michael Reborn
About Naper Pride
Naper Pride is a Naperville-focused celebration of LGBTQ community members. Its goal is to unite people from all walks of life—family, friends, neighbors, and allies—in a celebration of inclusivity. Through its programs and events, Naper Pride supports efforts that promote a community environment treating every individual with equality, dignity, and respect. As an all-volunteer organization, 100% of proceeds go directly to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. For more information, visit Naper Pride.
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