The Dubois County PRIDE Festival’s impact on the LGBTQ+ individuals in Dubois County who feel seen, heard, and understood for one beautiful day in the park is immeasurable.
The annual festival returns to the Jasper Riverwalk/Dave Buehler Plaza at 150 Third Avenue in Jasper this Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. According to organizers, the event promises a vibrant day filled with love, unity, and acceptance, celebrating the diversity of our community. Admission to the event is free, ensuring that everyone can join in the celebration.
For many attendees, the festival has become a joyful moment full of fun memories and comfort.
“PRIDE, to me, is about celebrating who we are and embracing our authentic selves,” said Andy Hoffman.
Andy, a Jasper resident for most of his life, came out in college. He has been in a relationship with Shane Denu for 13 years. He recognizes the festival’s impact on a personal level as a reminder of the past when he would have had a difficult time simply being who he is.
“It’s (PRIDE) a powerful reminder of our right to exist and love freely, honoring those who fought for our rights as it is a celebration that was born from the police brutality of the Stonewall Riots,” Andy explained, referencing the uprising that began at theStonewall Inn(now a national monument) in 1969.
The Stonewall Inn was one of the most popular gay bars in New York City in the 60s, but at the time, hom*osexuality was considered a criminal offense. Police raided the inn on June 28, 1969, and the result was a series of standoffs between protesters and police over about six days.
Historians note that while the uprising, due to the media coverage, led to a shift in perspective toward the LGBTQ+ community, the Stonewall Inn Uprising served as the culmination of multiple uprisings and protests that had occurred throughout the country in the 1950s and 1960s.
It also led to the establishment of Pride when the first festival was held in June of the following year.
Fifty years after the uprising, in 2019, One Dubois County held the first PRIDE Festival at Jaycee Park and the Jasper Municipal Pool. It’s grown ever since and is now under the umbrella of Dubois County PRIDE, a nonprofit organization formed to support LGBTQ+ individuals.
While some celebrations are extravagant, Dubois County’s PRIDE Festival accents the community-building and educational aspects of the group’s goals.
“It’s true that the Dubois County Pride celebration may seem more ‘tame’ compared to some larger, more extravagant Pride festivals held in major metropolitan areas across the country,” said Mary Warner, president of Dubois County PRIDE. “We believe this reflects our community’s values and the inclusive, family-friendly atmosphere we aim to cultivate.”
While the media likes to focus on the more outlandish or extravagant festivals held in larger cities, the Dubois County festival is designed to be a welcoming space for everyone, from young children to older adults, ensuring that all attendees feel included and are free to be themselves.
“Our goal is to celebrate the diversity within our community and provide a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued,” Warner said. “We hope that as our festival grows, it will continue to foster a sense of belonging and pride for all attendees.”
This is an essential aspect of the event for others who call Dubois County their home.
Angela Slanika and her wife live openly in the community as a married couple. Deciding to come out can be difficult and, obviously, stressful. Angela says everyday interactions, such as introducing one’s spouse, can become another “coming out” moment in their lives.
“My wife and I have been together 20 years, married the last eight of those. We choose to live openly, not shying away from appropriate identification of our relationship. But even now, and at my age and being a part of Jasper most of my life, that’s not always easy,” she explained. “One doesn’t just come out once. It’s a process that repeats itself with many new interactions over a lifetime.”
While the festival doesn’t help her directly in those uncomfortable encounters, she says the allies and other LGBTQ+ individuals in the community empower her with the strength of their presence at the event and other gatherings. An important element in a community that can, at times, show a lack of tolerance for the LGBTQ+ individuals living here, as seen by letters to the editor published in the local paper or incidents like the thefts of banners and signs announcing the event.
“(PRIDE) it’s all about visibility for anyone in our community that is struggling with issues around LGBTQ identity,” Angela said. “The celebration of our lives might be a turning point for someone who is otherwise dealing with rejection from family or hearing negativity from their religious community, for example.”
Jessica Miller MSW, LCSW, owner of Rooted Counseling & Consulting, meets many kids dealing with anxiety over their identities, whether there is pressure from the community, churches or family members. They live with protective barriers around themselves.
She sees the festival as a welcome respite for them to be themselves that has a lasting impact.
“If we provide an environment for people to be who they are, they will feel more comfortable,” Jessica explained. “They’re going to see that there’s a space where they don’t have to put up these barriers, they don’t have to protect themselves, but they are welcome despite what society has said, or their parents have said, or their aunt, uncle, church, whoever has said that because you are this way or because you believe in this you are wrong, and you’ve got all of these things that are condemned because of it.”
Ultimately, the festival provides people with comfort, hope and joy.
“I love seeing people smile that I know are truly, really struggling with their self-image or their relationships with their partners, their parents, their friends,” Jessica said about the impact she loves to see on those attending the festival. “They’re just happy.”
The joy is apparent when you walk through the festival. Whether it is the many booths filled with information and connections from local services, churches or businesses or the shared moments of fun doing yoga or playing games and dancing, you can’t help but notice the people from different walks of life all coming together for the festival fun.
“That’s what I love most about the festival. The connections and relationships that are made. Seeing people connect over the things we have in common as human beings and enjoying each other’s company is truly heartwarming,” said Andy. “It’s a beautiful reminder that, despite our differences, we all seek love, acceptance, and a sense of belonging. The festival creates a unique environment where these connections flourish, turning strangers into friends and fostering a supportive, vibrant community.”
This year, the festival features delicious offerings from food trucks, fun activities for all ages, music by DJ Chidi throughout the day, and entertainment suitable for everyone. Live entertainment includes musician Bubba Wiggles from 1:00 to 2:00 and headliner Arianna Barton from 4:00 to 6:00. Back by popular demand is Turners Circus from Louisville, who will be in the plaza from 2:00 to 4:00 with captivating aerial performances.
Along with merchandise booths, many community organizations will be present to offer valuable resources and support to attendees.
New this year is the Education Station, sponsored by the Raife Milligan Memorial Fund. This addition will provide informative and engaging sessions to foster understanding and awareness about important issues within the LGBTQ+ community.
Here is a Facebook post with a map and more information on parking for the event.
For more information, please visit our website atduboiscountypride.comand follow us on Instagram and Facebook @duboiscountypride.
