After a year’s hiatus, Naper Pride Fest returns Sept. 14 for a daylong celebration at Naper Settlement in Naperville.
This is the third Pride Fest, but not consecutively. Last year it couldn’t be held because the Naper Pride group didn’t have enough money to make it happen, said Dawn DeSart, who co-chairs the event with Ken Mejia-Beal.
“The community was frankly mad at us last year for not having it,” she said.
With its return, they’re planning a noon-to-10 p.m. slate of events, with the daytime activities being family friendly and a new addition, Pride “after dark,” starting at 8:30 p.m. for the 18 and older crowd, Mejia-Beal said. It will feature dance performances and a drag show by The Boys of Summer, he said.
Also new this year is an emphasis on local performers, DeSart said.
“In years past, we’ve had our headliner be someone national. For example, in 2022 we had Jody Watley,” DeSart said. “This year, we’re really focusing on the very popular local and regional bands, like George Michael Reborn and Mostly Miley. Beyond the Blonde was hugely popular (previously) … and we’re having them again this year. We’re not having a hugely expensive national headliner.”
Other entertainment throughout the day includes Alex and Willa, Bach to Rock, Keri Traid, Sebastian, Fonda LaFemme, Weekend Run Club and the Cheryl Rodey Band.
Several local vendors will be onsite as well.
“We have more vendors signed up than ever before,” she said. “I’m talking triple the number.”
Those include local crafters, businesses and nonprofit groups, including DuPage County Animal Services, which will be bringing some furry friends with them, DeSart said.
One vendor organizers are particularly excited about is the DuPage County Health Department, which will be administering free Mpox vaccines, she said.
Mpox, or monkey pox, has experienced a surge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries this summer, prompting the World Health Organization to declare it a public health emergency of international concern.
“We have the DuPage County Health Department’s giant van coming out to give the Mpox vaccine for free for anyone who wants it,” she said.
“Mpox disproportionally — especially in America — impacts gay and bisexual men,” Mejia-Beal said. “What we did for Pride Fest and with DuPage Health was have those Mpox vaccines and I’m super excited we’re having those again.
“The Mpox vaccines are very hard to find. If you are not going to a LGBTQ health provider, it’s more than likely not being offered. It’s going to be a great opportunity to grab people that are going to be at the highest risk so they can get vaccinated.”
The initial vaccine will be offered onsite with the two-week follow-up shot administered at a local church, she said.
They added that the fest’s goal beyond entertainment and inclusivity is a serious one, DeSart said.
“The whole point of Naper Pride Fest … is to raise money for a local community health and mental health center,” she said.
That said, there’s local excitement that the fest is returning, DeSart and Mejia-Beal said.
“What we provide is a LGBTQ-friendly environment without having to go all the way to the city,” he said.
“The fest is open to everybody,” DeSart said. “Husbands and wives bring their kids. It’s really a family-friendly event and it’s open to the whole community, which is one of Naper Pride’s mission statements. We’re not just about LGBTQ, we’re (here) for the whole community.”
The event is held in September and not June — Pride Month — because so many other events are being held at that time. It’s still timely because October is LGBTQ History Month, Mejia-Beal said.
“Plus, the weather is lovely in September,” DeSart said.
Food trucks onsite will include the Flyin’ Hawaiian, Sausage Fest, Billy Bricks Pizza as well as others that serve pierogis, lobster rolls, grilled cheese and vegan fare.
“(The fest) is such a great time for everybody, people of all ages,” she said. “It really is a great time for the whole family.”
It’s important to normalize seeing all types of love, people and families represented, he said.
“I would love a world where we don’t have to have a fest and you can just see this,” he said. “But until we get there, these kinds of events are important to show that our community is pretty much just like every other community.”
Fest tickets are $10 to $15, but free for anyone 17 or younger. For more information, go to naperpride.org.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
