PORT TOWNSEND — Port Townsend Pride is planned to highlight the queer community in Port Townsend on Saturday, bringing together creators, advocate organizations, supporters and resources.
The event will be from 10:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pope Marine Park at the corner or Water and Madison streets.
“I am feeling from having done this for five years that this year definitely feels the most important to really come out and support LGBTQ+,” said Kerri Kitaji, the Production Alliance’s PT Pride event coordinator. “Especially our transgender (community), the ‘T’ of the LGBTQ+, because we are under fire, for sure.”
Coming together feels more important than ever, Kitaji said.
“People have stepped up,” she said.
Last year, between sponsorships and grants, PT Pride raised about $20,000. This year, it raised $30,000, Kitaji said.
The support clarifies that Port Townsend is a safe and inclusive space, Kitaji said.
Programming on the main stage will be broken into four segments — the Folk Block, the Punk Block, Country Queers and the Drag Finale.
Musical artists in the Folk Block and the Punk Block were chosen by the Pride Performer Committee, Kitaji said.
The artists chosen to perform are all queer artists, she added.
The Folk Block includes four artists or groups. Bilee Grace will perform from 11:20 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. Ember Brightheart will perform from 11:40 a.m. to noon. Bete Grise will perform from noon to 12:20 p.m. Blue Hex will perform from 12:20 p.m. to 12:40 p.m.
The Punk Block Includes two bands. Chloroform Rags will perform from 1 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. Male//Gaze will perform from 1:20 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
Country Queers is a variety show hosted by Bobby4Bobby from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Performers partaking in the show include J. Turner Masland, Shongi Motsi, Lavender Lemonade, Emily Paris and Jay Tyranny.
From 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Drag Finale will include a performance from burlesque and drag artist Vertigo.
For artist bios, visit https://www.theproductionalliance.org/pride-schedule.
The Production Alliance also started an emerging artists initiative this year to support young artists. The initiative will provide artists with professional photos from their performances, opportunities to work with more experienced artists and the possibility of future studio time, Kitaji said.
This year’s emerging artists are Ember Brightheart, Chloroform Rags and Jay Tyranny.
In addition to giving performances at 12:15 p.m and 3:10 p.m, Seattle-based multi-disciplinary artist Caela Bailey will serve as the event’s master of ceremonies.
“We have 63 vendors this year, and 40 of those have the no-cost LGBTQ+ application,” Kitaji said.
Applying for a vendor spot is basically applying to be a sponsor, Kitaji said. The spots cost $500 or $150 for nonprofits. Paying vendors cover free spots for LGBTQ+ vendors.
“Our food vendors are all LGBTQ+,” Kitaji said. “We don’t let just anyone be a vendor at pride, we really try to highlight our local queer population.”
Food vendors include Zack’s Little Spruce Creperie, Sour Baby Bakery, La Cocina, PLANTED and Fiddlehead Creamery.
Port Townsend Pride also will have a boat parade. Kitaji said a call goes out to anyone with a boat or who is interested in getting out on the water.
“This came about last year when a community member was interested in doing a fun regatta on the night before Pride, to get as many LGBTQ+ people out on that water who don’t normally have access,” Kitaji said.
The event will include a sensory space for a break from the crowd. Kitaji said the space initially was inspired by THING Fest.
“They had these sensory spaces, which were just like a container of fidget toys and some lounging, blow-up couches and carpet,” she said. “It was kind of away from the noise, just like a place that you could decompress. I just love that. I have a neurodivergent son and husband. It made so much sense to create that inclusive space. ”
The Kid Zone will have bubbles, a different craft every hour, hula hoops and cornhole.
Port Townsend Pride has partnered with the Port Townsend Film Festival to show two films at the Key City Theatre, 419 Washington St.
“But I’m a Cheerleader,” a 2000 comedy, is scheduled to show at 7 p.m. on Friday. “Assembly,” a 2025 documentary by Rashaad Newsome, is set to show at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at https://ptfilm.org/events/films-with-pride.
Port Townsend Pride, a Production Alliance event, began in its current form in 2024. It emerged from Olympic Pride, which came from Jefferson County Pride, Kitaji said. Kitaji served as the board president for Olympic Pride previously.
She said the event and the organization’s mid-year events became too demanding as a volunteer position, especially as a mother of young children.
After Olympic Pride dissolved and handed the event off to the Production Alliance, leadership reached out to her to see if she was interested in coordinating the event.
“(The Production Alliance’s) mission is all about creating community through celebration,” Kitaji said. “It felt like a perfect fit.”
For a full vendor map, artist bios and a history of the event, visit https://www.theproductionalliance.org/events/ptpride.
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Reporter Elijah Sussman can be reached by email at elijah.sussman@sequimgazette.com.
