Mohave Pride brings a colorful crowd to celebrate

KINGMAN – There were two types of drag happening in Kingman this weekend.

Mohave Pride celebrated its fourth event, the Mohave Pride Fantassance Fair 2023 with about 1,500 folks coming and going in and out of Metcalfe Park for two days.

Yes, there were drag queens. There was also music, belly dancers, food trucks, drum circles, a podcast, and a park full of vendors with art, jewelry, folks dressed in Renaissance garb and LGBTQ pride merchandise.

There was a bit of flare, bit of fun and all ages were in attendance.

Mohave Pride lead organizer Willow Kroenke, along with her team, put plenty of effort into these events.

“Doing pride is like building a big snowball for six months,” she said. “We have to make sure we guide it in the right direction. Everything went well for the most part.”

There was plenty of support for the LGBTQ community via the tents that included everything from Free Mom Hugs to Dungeons and Dragons.

A sort of protest and presence by members of the Family Bible Church and other highly religious members of the community was staged at Locomotive Park.

“We felt compelled, not just for these (LGBTQ) precious people, but for all Americans,” said Pastor Peter Ernst. “We need the lord, we need forgiveness, we need to be reconciled back to God.”

Ernst added that he and his co-organizers felt that there needed to be a Christian presence nearby.

The group mostly kept to their side of Beale Street, periodically making a discreet trek to Metcalfe Park at one point.

Kroenke kindly asked her crowd not to engage any protestors. She even took some cinnamon rolls over to the church protestors and worked to keep things de-escalated.

“Bring your energy, love, willpower here where it is deserved,” she told the Metcalfe revelers.

With the exception of one or two intoxicated individuals at the park and the standing room only Drag N’Slay Adults Only After Party at Beale Celebrations Saturday night, the event was peaceful despite the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric online that usually accompanies the event.

Some thunderstorms almost put a damper on the event both days, but with the exception of a few tents being blown around, the show went on.

There was a small issue with sprinklers Friday night which led to some vendor tents and products soaked in water, but Kroenke and crew worked with city officials to resolve the issue.

A few people looking for the Route 66 Street Drags a few miles up the road made an appearance with some confused looks but seemed to stick around and enjoy themselves.

Kroenke is always looking for help with the event and will be shifting some board member positions around for next year.

“We need to find some dedicated, responsible people to get involved,” she said.

For information and to submit a resume, email questions to andtheniaz@gmail.com.

Aaron Ricca