Federal Way celebrated a historic Pride event Aug. 2, marking the first one in Town Square Park.

While this was the fifth year of the event, in the past, it was held at Wayside United Church of Christ (UCC).

This year’s Federal Way Pride featured a full lineup of drag performances and other live entertainment as well as vendors and fun activities for all ages.

The event was organized by local community members, including Kim Larsen, Farrah Rinehart and Mimi Meeker.

“When we lose track of the benefits of diversity, we all suffer,” Larsen told the Mirror. “Diversity is the magic key… the more we can be tolerant, loving, accepting, the better the world is. Especially with the political climate … we’re showcasing how it should be.”

Rinehart noted that significance of holding the event in the park this year, saying that moving it to a public space allows the event to be “more inclusive” and easier to access.

Three teens attending the event said they didn’t know there was really any queer community in Federal Way and told the Mirror how much it meant to them. Fawn L. shared that having pride “builds community” and “gives people a voice.” Vinny added that it was meaningful to “see that there are people in your town that experience the same things that you do,” and Nea added that seeing the city hold a Pride event “makes me feel so connected to Federal Way.”

The event included a variety of vendors and performers throughout the day.

Performances featured Federal Way’s own Phenomenal She Dance Team, Koto Jazz performed by Chris Kenji Beer, and a performance by the Tacoma Dance Studio Belly Dance Troupe of Sirens of the Sound/Pearls of the Sound.

The day was emceed by local drag queen Crystyl Jewyl Box, who curated a high energy lineup of drag performers who showcased various styles and genres of drag.

Vendors included many different types of organizations, including several affirming churches, arts and crafts vendors, social services and nonprofits.

Thrive Counseling Center in Federal Way has a staff of about 30 counselors and offers all kinds of supportive services. These include gender affirming counseling, family therapy, couples counseling, counseling for children and teens and more.

“It’s really beneficial to be here…we’ve been working to find tangible ways to show how we support the LGBTQ community,” Clinical Director Stephanie Brickner said. “This is a great way to be a little bit more tangibly visible.”

Other vendors included Federal Way businesses like Bricks and Minifigs in Federal Way, Forever Roses By Nicole, and nonprofits like Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care and the Federal Way Education Association.

Having the event in the middle of town was important to many people there.

“I never liked it when it was hidden in the trees,” said Catherine North, referencing the event’s former location at Wayside Church. North was tabling at Pride for South End Friends for Peace and Justice, a group that leads demonstrations each Sunday on Pacific Highway and South 320th Street.

Although Wayside Church is affirming and even hosts a gender affirming closet called Open Doors, many members of the queer community have had negative experiences with organized religion in the past and don’t feel comfortable at churches.

“I’m not the only lesbian who had issues with church. The one I grew up in was homophobic and abusive,” North said.

Having the Pride event in a city park is more welcoming for her and those who share her experiences, North said, and it’s an important statement to make as a city to celebrate the queer community in the center of town.

“I think it’ll just get better every year,” North said.

Truman Campus teacher Amber Bombadil told the Mirror this type of celebration and support can make a life or death difference for queer youth.

“When they’re not able to have support in their neighborhoods, their community, their schools…it’s clearly on their mind and making them struggle [in school],” Bombadil said.

She described how many of her students have experienced bullying both at school and out in the community.

“They don’t even want to leave the house to go to the gas station because of the looks or things that people will yell at them,” she said. “It’s really hard to be different in Federal Way, and some of us are really different.”

All of this is just one reason that it is vitally important to have events like Federal Way Pride, she said, especially in a central and public place like at Town Square Park.

Drag performer Crystyl Jewyl Box emceed the Federal Way Pride event on Aug. 2. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Melody Bolt Paradisco, Crystyl Jewyl Box with pride organizer Mimi Meeker.

Federal Way Pride chair Kim Larsen and Treasurer Farrah Rinehart at the annual Federal Way Pride event on Aug. 2.

Vendors ringed the grassy field at Town Square Park, featuring a variety of businesses and organizations. Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Federal Way Pride event was held Aug. 2 at Town Square Park. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Holli B. Sinclair in her first performance of the set, getting a refreshing breeze from an audience member with a fan due to the high temperatures at Federal Way Pride. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror.

Octavia Alstoemeria dances with a member of the audience at Federal Way Pride.

Holli B. Sinclair performs to an enthusiastic crowd at Federal Way Pride. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror.

Rheana Peter, LMHC, Lili Lyne, LMFTA and Stephanie Brickner, Clinical Director at Thrive Counseling Center in Federal Way at the Federal Way Pride.

Vendor Shanna Dagestad sharing art created as Proud Mountain Crafting at the Federal Way Pride. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror.