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Drag Race 5K, Safe Space Training, Open Mic, Makers Markets, Rainbow Walk and More
Kent, OH — Get ready for a full weekend of events including a fun run, entertainment, education, story-telling and more in support of the LGBTQ+ community! Kent Rainbow Weekend will take place on Fri., Oct. 11 & Sat., Oct. 12, plus a drag brunch at Bell Tower Brewing on Sun., Oct. 13. With a full lineup of things to do and rainbow decorations to see in downtown Kent, the event is presented by Summa Health, also sponsored by Portage Community Bank, College Town Kent, Summit FM and PBS Western Re-serve. This year’s rainbow bridge sponsors include Flourish Plant Mkt., Lynda Crandall, Franklin School of Dance, The Portager, State Champs, Bent Tree Coffee, Bell Tower Brewing, The River Merchant, Sun in Leo, Puff N Stuff, Board & Bevy and The Performance Collective. The West Main St. bridge will be dec-orated in Progress flag colors on one side and Trans Pride flag colors on the other, showing love, support and acceptance to all in the Kent community. Details including dates, times and ticket/registration for all activities are available at: mainstreetkent.org
On Fri., Oct. 11, Main Street Kent, in partnership with the Kent State LGBTQ+ Center, will host the Drag Race 5K fun run, culminating with an “End of the Rainbow” party at North Water Brewing Co. Register at runsignup.com/Race/OH/Kent/DragRace5K. Sponsored by Summit County Public Health, TRIAD Advertising & Marketing, PFLAG Akron and others; proceeds will benefit the LGBTQ+ Center emergency fund. Also on Friday, there will be a Rainbow Origami Succulent Workshop at Flourish Plant Mkt., Acorn Alley Rainbow Market, free live music at Water Street Tavern featuring The 80s Ladies, Drag Bingo at Zephyr Pub, live music at Bar Lucci, and Open Mic night at Last Exit Books.
On Sat., Oct. 12, MSK is hosting the second annual Rainbow Walk, where ticket holders will receive a Kent Rainbow Weekend reusable tote, event pass and map, then head out to 21 downtown locations to collect an array of rainbow-themed items including treats, gift items, and more. tick-etstripe.com/events Also on Saturday, there will be a Safe Space Training at Kent Free Library, a screening of the documentary “1946, The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture” at the Kent State Hotel, the Rainbow Revival Market at Dan Smith Community Park, Pride Alley Art Show in Acorn
Alley, “Courageously Queer” storytelling event at North Water Brewing Co., Gay Sports Trivia at State Champs, Superbabes concert in Acorn Plaza, Pride Trivia at Bell Tower Brewing, drag show at Zephyr Pub, Swiftie Dance Party with the Ladies Night Band at Water Street Tavern and more!
Local businesses will be offering themed merchandise and menu items all weekend in the spirit of the event: Belleria Pizza & Italian Restaurant, Barrio, Bent Tree Coffee, Branded in Kent, GRAZERS, McKay Bricker Framing, Off the Wagon, Popped!, Ray’s Place, State Champs and Zenning.
So much is happening on Rainbow Weekend, and up-to-date info including registration links can be found at mainstreetkent.org/events/kent-rainbow-weekend/. “We’re excited to have a dedicated team to pull this event together again during LGBTQ History Month, a time when the campus community and city can come together to celebrate,” shared Heather Malarcik, executive director of Main Street Kent.
PRESS RELEASE:
Contact: Heather Malarcik
Main Street Kent
Email: heather@mainstreetkent.org