Sheboygan’s Flannel Fest, a fundraiser for Safe Harbor, will include flannel contests, live music and more Oct. 18-20

SHEBOYGAN – The Sheboygan County LGBTQ Alliance will partner with several businesses on a free fall fundraiser for Safe Harbor during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The nonprofit is working with Paradigm Coffee and Music, Chicory Root Tattoo Studio and City Vintage and Thrift on Flannel Fest.

“We’re really hoping to get folks out to help raise some money and support such a pivotal organization in our community, and to also spread awareness and education and strive for a violence-free community,” Sheboygan County LGBTQ Alliance Steering Committee member Maggie Hernandez said.

The event will center not only on fundraising and domestic violence awareness and education but also on “friend-raising,” Hernandez said.

She said the Alliance teased Flannel Fest at a drag show celebrating Pride Month, which replaced the fourth annual Pride Picnic that was canceled because of bad weather.

"We knew that there was a big loss of the community,” Hernandez said. “The importance of Pride in gathering and connecting with one another was missing for a lot of folks, and so it was important to us to be able to create this event and foster community in a place where everyone can gather. We are hoping that a large portion of the attendees are from the LGBT community as well as our allies.”

Though the event is fundraising for Safe Harbor, Hernandez said the Alliance will accept donations. The organization lost roughly $6,000 because of the Pride Picnic cancellation.

Hernandez said cancelling the event was “devastating.” The Alliance spent 10 months planning, and the community lost an opportunity to gather and celebrate Pride on a larger scale.

“We know that we kind of got to push forward and try to find other fantastic reasons for us to gather,” Hernandez said.

The Alliance's annual fundraiser will be Queer Prom Feb. 15, 2025.

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Flannel contests, live music and hammerschlagen among fall fun events

Flannel Fest will take place at Paradigm, 1202 N. Eighth St., and the Uptown Parklet Oct. 18-20. Friday and Saturday nights will be full of live music. Sunday will bring games and a flash tattoo event.

A flannel outfit contest will be held every night. Event organizers will take polaroid pictures of interested participants to be put on donation jars. The jar with the most money will win. Proceeds will be donated to Safe Harbor. The winner will receive a trophy and prize, too.

Hernandez said people in need of fall flannels who are planning to come can check out City Vintage and Thrift, which is stocking up.

Oct. 18

Doors open at 6 p.m. Live music will start at 7 p.m. with performances by Cathy Grier and Bitch.

Oct. 19

Doors open at 6 p.m . Live music starts at 6:30 p.m. with performances by Cousin Arthur, Brianna Lane and McKain Lakey.

Oct. 20

No live music, but festivities will take place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Chicory Root Tattoo Studio, 1206 N. Eighth St., will host a flash tattoo event. Tattoos will be done in black or gray ink and are $100 each. Artists will be working for tips. Proceeds will benefit Safe Harbor. Among a handful of designs being offered include a ghost, scarecrow and flowers.

Cornhole, hammerschlagen and pumpkin decorating will also be included.

Have a story tip? Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com . Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner .

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan’s Flannel Fest, a fundraiser for Safe Harbor, will include flannel contests, live music and more Oct. 18-20