Festival draws local support for LGBTQ+ community

Hundreds of local Dripping Springs residents attended the annual pride festival at Dripping Springs Ranch Park on Saturday, June 22.

‘This event was our best ever,” said Juana Searc'ye, y, founder of Pride of Dripping Springs, which sponsors the event. 'There was a lot of positive energy and the talent we had was fantastic. We really appreciate all the entertainers who share their talents.”

Pride of Dripping Springs, which puts on the event, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to broadening awareness and creating an environment of diversity and inclusion through education, resources and events for the LGBTQ+ community.

This is the fourth year for the pride festival.

Nearly 50 volunteers pitched in to organize and staff the festival. “They are the heart and soul of this event and it’s a success because of them,” Searcy said.

The festival featured community booths for local organizations, craft vendors, pride merchandise and live entertainment on the main stage.

“We are working to make our community a safe place to be seen and meet other allies,” Searcy said, emphasizing the importance for youth who are scared to be bullied. “I don’t want them to feel like they are all alone on an island. We want them to know there are people in the community who are allies, and there are people they can talk to.”

Searcy said Pride of DS is working to add more local resources to their network for members, their families and allies. To find current outreach resources for the LGBTQ+ community and learn more about Pride of Dripping Springs, visit prideofdrippingsprings.org.