The third annual Rainbow Rally celebrating Pride Month will be held Saturday, June 29, at Wooster Green in downtown Bowling Green.
The free family-friendly event, organized by BGO Pride, will be held from 12 to 6 p.m. with children’s activities scheduled from 12 to 3 p.m.
Food will be available for purchase from Jonny Burritos, vegan options from Pepper & Honey, and concessions from First Presbyterian Church located next door to Wooster Green.
Several vendors will be displaying homemade items to sell, such as jewelry, woodworking and crocheted items. So far, the number of vendors and nonprofit groups planning to attend the Rainbow Rally is doubled from last year’s event.
BGO Pride T-shirts will be on sale to raise money for the organization.
BGO Pride was founded to create a local community for LGBTQIA members and supporters in Bowling Green. The mission of the nonprofit organization is to increase visibility in the area through education, event planning, networking and advocacy.
An estimated 600 people attended last year’s Pride event in Wooster Green. But many people are still unaware of BGO Pride’s existence, said Beca Rios, a team member of the association.
“There are still people who don’t know we’re here and what we do,” Rios said.
During the Rainbow Rally, several other supportive nonprofit groups will be on hand to provide information and free items. The Wood County Health Department will provide First Aid, and Equitas will offer free HIV testing.
Applications are still being accepted for entertainers for the Rainbow Rally. Already planned is a disc jockey from 12 to 6 p.m., singer-songwriters performing original music or cover music, and some drag performers.
Anyone interested in performing at the event should email Rios at RRios@bgopride.org.
The event will also feature arts and crafts, plus raffle baskets, and a 50/50 raffle.
Activities planned for children include face painting, a crafts area, and a large Jenga game.
Because of safety concerns, the entrance to the Rainbow Rally will be limited to the archway into Wooster Green at the corner of West Wooster Street and South Church Street. The rest of the open green will be taped off with caution tape, and security will be stationed at the entrance.
Volunteers are still being sought to help at the event, with setting up and taking down tables and chairs, water distribution, help with organizing vendors, and collecting trash throughout the day.
A form to sign up for volunteering can be found at https://bgopride.org/rainbow-rally or the group’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BGOPride.
