By Reader Staff
Break out the rainbow flags and glitter for the fifth-annual Sandpoint Pride, hosted Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13, by Sandpoint Alliance for Equality. The celebration includes workshops, performances, games and more across the city, culminating in Saturday’s party at the Granary District.
To kick off the weekend, local experts will host a series of advocacy workshops at Marigold Bistro (414 Church St.). Dr. Michael Welp and Ammi Midstokke will present “Skill-Building Practice for Transformative Conversations” from noon to 1 p.m. and then “Crafting Your Message in a World of Opposing Values” from 1:30-2:30 p.m. “Know Your 1A Rights” by Jeanne Howe will begin at 3 p.m., after which the group moves to the Yellow Room (102 Euclid Ave.) for “Queer Writes: A Storytelling and Writing Workshop” taught by local advocate Jen Jackson Quintano from 4-5:30 p.m.
Photo by Racheal Baker
Eichardt’s Pub (212 Cedar Street) will break out ping-pong tables and putt-putt golf — alongside its iconic shuffleboard table — for Teen Gayme Night. Teens can enjoy free snacks and pop, play games and learn more about SAFE from 4-6 p.m. Afterward, head over to happy hour from 6-7 p.m. at the Heartwood Center (615 Oak St.) for free snacks and a no-host bar and sign up for SAFE’s open mic from 7-9 p.m.
Saturday’s festivities kick off at Pride Outside at Pine Street Woods (11915 W. Pine St.), where outdoorsy-types can enjoy hiking, biking and nature walks with allies and fellow members of the LGBTQIA+ community from 9 a.m. to noon.
Back in town, take a shopping break at any point during the day to be a part of SAFE’s first Out and About event, which supports local queer-friendly businesses. From 10-11:30 a.m., you can also catch the Peace and Justice Activist Musical Rascals of Spokane (a.k.a. PJAMRS Marching Band) performing pop-up concerts around town.
Sandpoint Pride Celebration main event begins at 3 p.m. at the Granary Arts District (513 Oak St.) and will include more than 50 vendors, advocacy groups and activities. Play games, tie-dye fabric, make a friendship bracelet or take the kids to get their faces painted. Special events include bingo with Sandpoint Area Seniors, queer trivia and best-dressed competitions.
Following the 5:15 p.m. drag show, Thrown Out Bones and Sideboob (See Page 21) will perform from 6:45-8 p.m. and 8:30-10 p.m., respectively. The event ends with a silent disco from 10 p.m. to midnight.
Show appreciation for Pride’s hosts, performers and volunteers on Sunday from 8:30-11 a.m. by cleaning up the Granary District. Later, hop on a boat and join a flotilla of queer folk and allies for the Rainbow Regatta (at a time and place to be announced on Saturday), before returning to land for a volunteer appreciation party at Eichardt’s from 7:30-11 p.m.
