They’re claiming it’s the very first Pride Festival in Everett!
Which is both great but also a bit sad that it took so long to happen but a big hurrah for Everett organizers for producing their first big Pride festival this Saturday, June 17th at the Wetmore Theatre Plaza at 2710 Wetmore Ave (cross street California) from 11am to 6pm.
It looks like your typical community LGBTQ+ Pride event with a stage, performers, booths, food trucks, etc. The images here give you a line-up and a schedule.
It’s a big plus for Everett and Snohomish County to have this event for the LGBTQ+ folks who live up there. They had a huge setback last month when a fire destroyed one of the county’s few gay venues, ReMyx’d located at 17216 Smokey Point Drive in Arlington which is just off I-5 and a few miles north of Everett.
There had been suspicions that arson was responsible for the fire after the bar/restaurant had been the target of death threats after ReMyx’d had received publicity about its LGBTQ events including drag shows and Pride celebrations. But, early investigations seemed to show that arson was not the cause of the May 28th fire.
Sadly, owner Brenton Holland (who has owned other gay venues in the area) announced on social media he would not open a new bar:
But, I will not be looking to re-open. After 24 years, it is time to hang it up. The environment around bars, shows and political climate is not like it was and sadly, going down a dark road. The amount of threats and the detail in them wanting to cause harm to me, my family and staff, is the biggest reason. Not to mention i need to plan a wedding.
– Brenton Holland
I want to thank EVERYONE for all the support. I especially want to thank the Touché family for all the shows and amazing spirt you brought into the club. Gunner, you brought the dance floor alive every weekend . Kylee, Jeff and Katrina, thank you from the bottom of Heart. Jared, your cooking is amazing and I hope one day I’m eating at your restaurant. And finally, Allison, you built us a place where ‘family’ could come and be themselves. You are the best friend a guy could ever want.
Donovan and I hope want to thank each and everyone one of you for your support. We wish everyone good health and hope to see you all again.
Hopefully, this celebration in Everett will lead to bigger and better opportunities for all the LGBTQ+ people in Snohomish County. Everett has had gay bars in the past but currently there are no openly welcoming venues in the city.
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
