'Just add glitter!'— Winooski’s own pride event returns

Katniss Everqueer and Emoji Nightmare host story hour for event-goers,

inviting them to spread imaginary glitter across the park.

Camryn Woods reported this story on assignment from the Winooski News. The Community News Service is a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost

Colorful flags flew, pop music filled the air and kids leaped through the greenery trying to puncture drifting bubbles as Pride celebrations enveloped Winooski’s Rotary Park in a rainbowy display of community and performances earlier this month.

Dozens of people poured in and out throughout the annual event to socialize, check out vendors and vibe to live music.

Melissa Corbin, executive director of the nonprofit Downtown Winooski, which organized the event with the city, said she had been looking forward to the evening for a long time. Last year’s first Winooski Pride event drew a turnout of some 3,000 people, and organizers expected to have similar results.

This year, Corbin and a team of about 10 people spent three weeks organizing the event and couldn’t wait to put it in action. Corbin pointed out large rainbow balloon towers crafted by Seven Days writer Don Eggert, the supplies for which the planning team had fundraised for.

In addition to the colorful decorations, Downtown Winooski invited an array of nonprofit local art vendors such as Prism Beauty, Getty Goods and The Mighty Dice to set up stalls and sell their work. Planned Parenthood and Community College of Vermont also had tables to offer services to event-goers.

The celebration kick-started at 4 p.m. with a Drag Queen Story Hour — part of a loose series of readings by drag performers that’s been gaining popularity and attention around the country — in the back half of Rotary Park, drawing families, pets and folks of all ages.

Kids eagerly huddled around drag performers Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer, who were decked out in shiny gold dresses, tall platinum wigs and striking makeup. The two read children’s books that explored identity, promoted inclusivity and — true to the performers’ aesthetic — involved lots and lots of glitter.

In any situation, declared Emoji Nightmare, real name Justin Marsh, “Just add glitter!” People in the audience waved their fingers to imitate sprinkling glitter across the park.

Following the story hour, the walkways of Rotary Park transformed into a sea of red jumpsuits and wind instruments. The Brass Balagan, a Vermont musical troupe, was marching around the park playing upbeat music, complementing their jumpsuits with accessories like rainbow boas and unicorn headbands.

They concluded their performance with a rendition of the popular Italian folk protest song “Bella Ciao,” earning a standing ovation.

Renowned DJ Craig Mitchell, acting as the event’s booking agent, said that during Pride Month in the summer, many Vermonters travel to big events in cities like Montreal and Boston. That’s why cities like Winooski and Burlington host their own celebrations in late summer (meaning they can receive an influx of returning college students).

The benefits of a September Pride were also apparent with the weather last Saturday — a light breeze and an average temperature in the low 70s.

Back in Rotary Park’s amphitheater, Miss Czechoslovakia — a third drag queen — performed a dance routine in shiny silver high heels to Katy Perry’s “Never Really Over.”

Katniss Everqueer, real name Kat Redniss, soon took the stage and announced, “Get ready for about 8 and a half minutes of me,” before lip-syncing to a recording of Jack Black from the movie “School of Rock.” She asked audience members to join her “band,” rocking out with participants on stage for the finale of her performance.

Then Emoji Nightmare sang an original song, “I’m Going Somewhere,” seeking to inspire listeners to trust their instincts and follow their hearts.

That, in a way, seemed the message behind the event. Mitchell told the Winooski News that organizers hope to also have a parade in future years to further foster the sense of community that comes with Winooski Pride.

The evening’s festivities aptly concluded with a dance party that went on till 8:30 p.m. Fueled by DJ Gaybar’s energizing discography and vibrant lights throughout the park, fairy-winged kids and sparkly event-goers danced well into the night.