W hen the Rainbows Festival debuted in 2002, its organizers hoped the LGBTQ- focused street fair at downtown Phoenix’s Historic Heritage Square would become an annual thing. They got their wish, and then some. More than 20,000 people came out to the inaugural edition of the free event, which was founded by local civic activist Don Hamill. And they kept coming back. Two decades later, it’s a fixture for LGBTQ people in the Valley that’s orga- nized by the folks behind the Phoenix Pride festival. Not much else has changed, though. It’s still free, still located at Heritage Square, and still open to everyone, regardless of their sexual orien- tation and gender identity. Functioning as a smaller sister event to Pride in October, the weekend-long Rainbows Festival offers 150-plus vendors, two stages of live enter- tainment — think DJs, musicians, drag queens, and other talents — and a block party vibe. Upwards of 30,000 people attended last year and organizers are expecting an even bigger crowd at the 2023 edition, which runs on Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2. This year’s Rainbows Festival, though, will take on a greater significance. It’s happening at a time when LGBTQ people in Arizona in the Valley and across the U.S. are under increased scrutiny and outright attack. The Republican-controlled Arizona legislature is advancing bills restricting drag shows, LGBTQ education, and trans rights. Drag events are also being targeted, including a bomb threat made to Brick House Coffee in Tempe while it was hosting a local drag story hour in February. And earlier this year, a gay couple in Queen Creek was told by their HOA to remove a pride flag from outside their home after it was vandalized. Jeremy Helfgot, a Rainbows Festival spokesperson, tells Phoenix New Times that with LGBTQ people under attack, this year’s event will be as much of a statement of unity and defiance as it will be a celebra- tion of LGBTQ culture and community. “For members of the LGBTQ+ commu- nity, having safe spaces like the festival where individuals can openly express who they are without fear is of vital impor- tance,” he says. “And it’s more important in this moment than ever because the LGBTQ+ community, and particularly the transgender community, has been under such a harsh and sustained attack.” Mike Fornelli, executive director of Phoenix Pride, says the festival is unique because of its price point. “Rainbows is [different] in that we’re able to keep it free to the public and an option for anybody that can’t afford tickets to Pride. And it offers that safe space that’s needed. There are people that come out that can’t live their lives authentically and have a chance to be able to come out at least a couple of days out of the year and be themselves without having to worry about any kind of prejudice or hate. That’s kind of what the Rainbows Festival is all about.” Helfgot says organizers will also imple- ment security measures to ensure the safety of festival attendees in response to the recent threats to drag queen story events in Tempe and Tucson. “We are hosting two stages of drag performances [and] this year’s Rainbows Festival is going to be an incredible event,” he says. “But even more than just an event, it’s going to be a statement. And I think it’s a statement that’s going to be heard loud and clear that Arizona’s LGBTQ+ commu- nity is here, it is here to stay.” Fornelli says the festival is still a cele- bration of drag and the diversity of LGBTQ people. “The festival is a celebration and shows people that drag isn’t harmful. It’s enter- tainment. It’s meant to be fun, and anybody is more than welcome to come and see if they want to. Nobody’s forcing it upon anybody,” he says. “But the festival is more than just drag; it’s also about the commu- nity as a whole. So educating people — be it about drag, pronouns, identity, LGBTQ rights, or human rights in general — is an education process for those that want to learn no matter what the issue is. And we’re here to do that.” When and Where Is The Rainbows Festival? It takes place on Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2, at Historic Heritage Square, 115 North Sixth Street in downtown Phoenix. The festival encom- passes almost the entirety of the square and stretches from Fifth to Seventh streets and from Monroe to Adams streets. What Are the Hours? Gates open at 10 a.m. each day and the festival runs until 6 p.m. Who Can Attend? Rainbows Festival is an all-ages event where inclusivity is celebrated. As such, it’s open to everyone. “Anybody is welcome,” Helfgot says. “But it’s not just limited to the LGBTQ+ community and allies. We welcome people in who may have never had any interaction before with the LGBTQ+ community or might not be familiar with its history or culture.” That said, organizers won’t tolerate anyone who might try to disrupt the festival. “If you want to come participate and be there positively, we welcome that,” Helfgot says. “If you come to start trouble, obviously you’ll immediately be asked to leave.” What’s the Theme of This Year’s Festival? “Express Yourself,” which Fornelli says is inspired by the 1989 Madonna hit of the same name and ties into the overall theme of the Rainbows Festival and two of the event’s headlining performers. “It just kind of fit, because Niki Haris was Madonna’s backup singer for 18 years, Venus D-Lite is a Madonna impersonator, and they’re performing for us this year. And Madonna is also about to do her 40th-anniversary tour,” Fornelli says. “But also, express yourself means being who you are. Don’t be afraid of what anybody else is going to think about you. We’re a welcoming community, so you should come out and be yourself. And that’s one of the things the festival is about.” How Much Does Admission Cost? Nothing. Admission to the Rainbows Festival is free. What’s the Best Way to Get There? As with most events in downtown Phoenix, Valley Metro Rail is the way to go. Fares are $2 one-way and $4 for an all-day pass. The eastbound station is at Third and Jefferson streets while the westbound station is at Third and Washington streets. Both are within a few minutes walk from Heritage Square. Helfgot also recommends ride-sharing services like Uber, Lyft, and Waymo. A pick-up and drop-off lane will be located along Seventh Street between Van Buren and Monroe streets. EXPRESS YOURSELF Your ultimate guide to the Rainbows Festival this weekend in downtown Phoenix. By Benjamin Leatherman Illustration by Mark Poutenis >> p17
