Phoenix – On Sunday, October 2, 2011 after 10 amazing years, Don Hamill, owner of Rainbows Festival, announced he is passing the torch to Phoenix Pride, producers of the annual Pride Parade and Festival. In its 10th year, Rainbows Festival has become a local favorite, attracting over 10,000 attendees from all over Arizona. Its diverse entertainment, family friendly environment and free admission are just a few reasons behind the festivals increasing popularity. Don Hamill, the event’s founder and parting owner says the success of his event can be accredited to the “fun and friendly atmosphere where people can bring their children, their partners, and their friends and enjoy Arizona’s greatest Street Fair.”
The acquisition of Rainbows Festival will be official for Phoenix Pride as of November 1, 2011. The decision to acquire Rainbows Festival was made by a unanimous vote from Phoenix Pride Board of Directors on Monday, September 12, 2011. “With the addition of Rainbows Festival to the lineup of annual events, Phoenix Pride can better serve the needs of our community,” says Brandi Sokolosky, Executive Director of Phoenix Pride. “The board of directors and staff are committed to the continued success of Rainbows Festival, so much so that every member of our board made it perfectly clear during our last board meeting that Rainbows Festival will always be a community event for everyone to enjoy. It is important for Pride, as an organization, to continue to offer a family friendly event that is free to the public, especially with Rainbows Festival now being the official home of Phoenix Pride’s OUTday PHX, a celebration of National Coming OUT Day.”
Throughout the year, Phoenix Pride hosts a series of community events with the goal of raising money for the Phoenix Pride Community Grants Program, Scholarship Program and the Pride Partnership Program. The Pride Community Grants Program helps fund non-profit organizations that serve the needs of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) community.
The Pride Scholarship Program assists college bound LGBTQ identified students to begin or continue their academic careers. Since 2008, Pride will have contributed over $300,000 back into the Phoenix LGBTQ community. The acquisition of Rainbows Festival will allow Phoenix Pride’s Community Foundation to develop its giving programs into self-sustaining funds that will benefit the LGBTQ community’s future needs. “Our goal is to grow the grants and scholarship programs in order to better provide for the needs of the LGBTQ community,” says Sokolosky. Are there plans to grow Rainbows Festival? Sokolosky says, “Yes, growth is inevitable but it will be gradual. Phoenix Pride is known for being over the top so you can bet you will see changes but the one change you will not see is an admission fee added for Rainbows Festival, it will remain a free event to the public. Phoenix Pride is committed to the success of AIDS Walk Phoenix and we will continue the collaboration that has been built between Rainbows Festival and Aunt Rita’s Foundation. In 2012 you will see the addition of the OUTday PHX Stage, featuring Coming OUT Stories presented through every form of artistic expression from local community members, community leaders, local celebrities and national celebrities. We are excited for the opportunities this acquisition will open up for Phoenix Pride to better serve the members of our community and we truly can’t wait to get started.”
About Phoenix Pride: The mission of Phoenix Pride is to celebrate and promote the history, diversity and future prosperity of the metropolitan Phoenix LGBTQ community. Phoenix Pride was founded in 1981. More information can be found at www.PhoenixPride.org.
