800.764.8768
CONTACT US
KENT, OH — Main Street Kent will celebrate Kent Rainbow Weekend Oct. 16–18, bringing residents, Kent State University students, visitors, local businesses and community organizations together for a weekend of entertainment, activities, storytelling and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
Presented by Acorn Alley, Rainbow Weekend includes live music, trivia, a 5K, floral adventure, drag performances, storytelling, a kickball tournament and more. October is LGBTQ History Month, and holding the celebration in October allows the Kent State community to participate.
Friday, Oct. 16
The weekend begins with Plexus Social Hour(ish) at Laziza Craft Kitchen from 5–7 p.m., followed by Pride Trivia at Bell Tower Brewing from 6–8 p.m., live music at Zephyr Pub at 7 p.m. and a Poetry Open Mic at Last Exit Books from 8–10 p.m. Register for Plexus Social Hour.
Saturday, Oct. 17
The Rainbow Weekend 5K begins at 11 a.m. at North Water Brewing, followed by an End of the Rainbow Party. Proceeds benefit the Portage County Pride Fund. Register for the 5K.
Browse & Bloom invites ticket holders to collect 15 flower stems at participating downtown businesses before creating an arrangement with floral designers at Leaf Home & Blooms. Register for Browse and Bloom.
Other Saturday activities include Crystal Shopping with Drag Queen Cara Bowdit at Hippie Fox Rocks, Born This Way: How Popular Music Came Alive with LGBTQ Artists and Allies at Bell Tower Brewing at 4 p.m. (register here), a GSA Mixer at Board & Bevy at 5 p.m., Courageously Queer Storytelling: Generations of Pride at 6 p.m. (register here) and a Drag Show at Zephyr Pub at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18
Dolly Does Pride: Rhinestone Brunch takes place at Laziza Craft Kitchen from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., featuring rainbow mimosa flights, Dolly trivia and games, music and a special menu.
At noon, the Kick the Hate Kickball Tournament takes over Kramer Fields, with registration proceeds benefiting the Portage County Pride Fund. The weekend concludes with a Drag Show at Bell Tower Brewing at 3 p.m.
Rainbow Weekend also includes Safe Space 101: LGBTQ+ Cultural Competence Community Training on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. The training explores LGBTQ+ identities, respectful terminology and allyship. Register for Safe Space 101.
Participating downtown businesses will also offer Rainbow Weekend specials, activities and promotions throughout the weekend.
“Rainbow Weekend is a chance for our entire community to come together,” said Heather Malarcik, Executive Director of Main Street Kent. “It’s about celebrating the people who make Kent such a welcoming and inclusive place, supporting our local businesses and creating opportunities for people to connect, have fun and learn from one another.”
Rainbow Weekend 2026 is supported by Acorn Alley, Andra & Mark Polasky, Bella Vita Wellness, Board & Bevy, Brimfield Insurance Group/Ohio Mutual Insurance, Chrystal Shook, Embrace Pet Insurance, Flourish Plant Market, Franklin School of Dance, Franklin Square Deli, Hazelmade, Hometown Bank, Keleigh Veraldo-Zucchero, Ken Ditlevson, Kent State Hotel, North Water Brewing, OmniFiber, PFLAG Akron, Portage Community Bank, Route 8 Studios, Summit County Public Health, Summit FM, Sun in Leo, The Performance Collective, The Portager and The River Merchant. For the complete schedule and information, visit mainstreetkent.org/rainbow-weekend.