JOMO PrideFest taking place Saturday in downtown Joplin
Grand Marshall is Miss Gay America Pattaya Hart
A crowd of Joplin and area residents turned out today to support the JOMO PrideFest, considered Joplin’s premier LGBTQ community festival.
The event is sponsored by the LGBTQ advocacy and resource group JOMO Pride, Inc.
The special guest speaker this year is Sara Cunningham of Oklahoma City. She is an author and co-founder of the national non-profit organization Free Mom Hugs!
“What I’ve seeing are young people and people of all ages and many forms of expression,” Cunningham said. “I see them being able to express themselves and be received and celebrated.”
Cunningham received a special award during the opening ceremonies of the JOMO PrideFest.
The honorary Grand Marshall this year is Miss Gay America, Pattaya Hart, who traveled to Joplin from New York City to take part in the event.
Hart led a pride walk just before noon, followed by a crowd of residents through downtown Joplin.
The event, taking place on Joplin Avenue between 4th and 7th Streets features a variety of booths, food items and entertainment.
Those scheduled to perform include Tania Carrington, Remi Storm, Ace of Hearts, Aryn Venus, Beverly Hills Mornett, Shayna Towers, Scrappy Legacy, Kitty Marie Legacy, Natalia Masters, Brooklyn Bissette, Vega Vega, Brandon KC Young, and Pattaya Hart.