Union County Pride faces uncomfortable questions ahead of festival at Indian Trail park

INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Indian Trail leaders were seemingly satisfied learning the details of the Pride festival coming this weekend following a line of uncomfortable questioning at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting.

The Union County Pride Festival will be in a new location in its third year, Indian Trail’s Chestnut Square Park. Town commissioners have been met with concerns from locals about the event, fearing unlawful activity may occur among the participants.

Last year, the event drew protestors when held in downtown Monroe, and two people were cited with trespassing. Union County Pride President Cristal Robinson explained that the only wrongdoing was from those from outside the festival.

“It’s not our attendees causing problems, it’s protestors,” she said. “The cops focused on protestors. We haven’t had any arrests, EMS calls or need for first aid.”

Robinson was still faced with questions and thinly veiled proposals during an agenda item related to potential changes to an already agreed upon contract. The town is leasing the park to the organization, but is not a festival sponsor.

“Is there extreme nudity at the drag shows?” asked Indian Trail Councilwoman Crystal Buchaluk.

The answer was no.

“Can you share the accusations?”

“I’m not grooming anyone,” Robinson said. “We are not enticing children that are without parents.”

Councilman Todd Barber suggested requiring children be accompanied by adults, acknowledging anti-LGBTQ pushback.

“I don’t like the position the town is in,” Barber said. “The powder keg issue seems to be the drag show. I’ve never been to one. … We’re going to have the event. I don’t want to make any motion regarding the drag event. I think from the spirit of bringing both sides together, would, just for the drag event, if people want to take their own kids to it, that’s their own choice. There really shouldn’t be minor wandering around.

“Requiring children to be accompanied by an adult, I’m just asking, I’m not demanding, might be an olive branch to the community.”

The event will have music, food trucks, a marketplace, representatives from churches and the FBI.

Robinson explained that law enforcement will be present to prepare for not only potential protestors, but also active shooters. There will be three deputies from the Union County Sheriff’s Office, as well as EMS staff and licensed nurses.

“Many cities have meetings all year along with Pride to plan for safety,” she said. “We’re pleased with the first responders.”

Union County Pride officials told Queen City News in June how – in the face of community pushback — the organization has grown over the last several years . Robinson told commissioners that they held five events in their inaugural year in 2022, and plan to hold 11 total in 2024.

Councilman Clarence Alsobrooks feared some people would unknowingly walk into the festival, despite the distinct visuals associated with the LGBTQ community.

“Say someone came from a foreign country, they weren’t familiar with some things,” he said. “Maybe a sign would help.”

“They’re going to realize there’s a pride event,” Robinson responded. “There’s going to be signs of being Union County Pride, rainbows, all sorts of stuff. It’s a public event and we’ve rented that area. Hopefully the people can be safe inside that area, because we can trespass individuals that are going to be harmful to our attendees.”

The Pride Festival will be held at the park, 320 Chestnut Pkwy., from noon to 6 p.m. An Adult VIP Kickoff party is the night before at Huckleberry Creek in Monroe.

No vote was taken to add restrictions or amend the town’s agreement with Union County Pride.

“We’re in tough position, whether we agree with even or not, the event is controversial,” Barber said. “Given the nature of the contract needing updated, it’s already been updated.”

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