Florence performers Fanny Rugburn and Robbie Dee participate in local Pride events

June 8, 2022 — Yachats Pride is back June 10 to 11. The weekend serves as a time to reconnect and have some fun, including a potluck, puppy parade, drag performance, live music and more. The events take place at Yachats Commons & Pavilion, 441 Highway 101 in Yachats. In addition, there is a Pride Worship Service on Sunday, June 12.

Yachats Pride celebrates the free expression of gender, culture and sexual orientation of LGBTQ+ people and their allies by hosting fun and educational events that celebrate diversity and help to eradicate discrimination and violence. Yachats Pride, Inc is a tax exempt 501(c)3 organization.

The event opens with a potluck and yard games Friday evening.

Saturday will be kicked off with some delicious food provided by donations and made by local queer-owned business, Saint Perpetua.

Then, join participants in recognizing and honoring the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Siletz Tribal Members will discuss Native traditions around Gender Diversity and Sexuality in Indian Country.  

Entertainment on Saturday includes the Puppy Parade, where people can bring their dressed-up pooches. This will be followed by a live singing drag performance by Florence drag queen Fanny Rugburn.

Saturday concludes with live music and DJ mixes. First, people can listen to beautiful live music from Florence violinist Robbie Dee and Yachats singer-songwriter Matthew Buonaiuto. Then, they can shake a tail feather to tunes by DJ Rusty Rainbow and Mr. Luxury.

This will be an outdoor event at the Commons Pavillion to maximize COVID safety. 

The Yachats Pride Lineup

Friday, June 10

Potluck & Games at YCPC

5 p.m. into the night

Come on down to eat and hang out. We will have yard games and bring a yummy dish to share. We have all missed one another these past COIVD years, let’s reconnect and have some fun. Yachats Community Presbyterian Church 360 W 7th St, Yachats, OR 97498

Saturday, June 11

March For Our Lives — Stand Against Gun Violence

10 to 11 a.m.

We invite you to stand on Highway 101 in remembrance of the Pulse Night Club Shooting & all other acts of gun violence that have affected not only our LGBTQIA+ community but every group/person around the country.

Feel free to make signs, or just come stand peacefully on the highway.

Welcome Everyone for Food & Poetry & Fun

Noon to 2 p.m. at the Commons Pavilion

Food provided by local queer business Saint Perpetua. Beer & wine with donation.

Get inspired & become a local poet! Write on vintage typewriters any and all your free flowing words about Pride, or whatever moves you. A fun experiment in documenting the event.

Best in Show Pooch Puppy Parade

2 to 3 p.m.

Bring your pooch and get dolled up for a puppy parade.

Honoring the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

3 to 4 p.m. at the outfield of Baseball Diamond (the grass)

Yachats, we are on native land. Come honor these important community members. They have come to share a panel discussion on 2-Spirit identity in Tribal Communities and traditions around those roles.

Drag Performance by Fanny Rugburn

4 to 5 p.m. at the Commons Pavilion

Adult & kid-friendly live singing with Fanny Rugburn. Get your tip money ready to tip at this talented local queen from Florence.

Fabulous Live Music Followed by DJs & Dancing

5 to 7 p.m. outside on the lawn, by the bleachers

Featuring Robbie Dee, author, violinist and multi-genre musician from Florence, and Matthew Buonaiuto, multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter from Yachats.

Then come shake your groove thang and your tail feather with PDX DJs Mr. Luxury & DJ Rusty Rainbow!

Sunday, June 12

Pride Worship

9:45 to 11 a.m. at the Yachats Community Presbyterian Church.

Come celebrate with a Pride friendly Hymn Sing, followed by a Pride worship Service starting at 10 a.m.

LGBTQIA+ people of faith often experience emotional and spiritual injury in churches that condemn their capacity to love and seek love. YCPC welcomes everyone and celebrates everyone! People of all ages, races, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions are invited.

For more information, visit yachatspride.org.