From February 28 to March 2, Hood River Winter PrideFest, which celebrated its first celebration last winter, will return with a more extensive schedule of events.
In addition to Mt. Hood Meadows Pride Day, the three-day festival features a performance by The Wanna Be-52 at The Ruins, a queer short film series, a documentary screening of Obsessed with Light, a diva drag brunch and drag bingo at Hood River Hotel, and an arts in education activity at the Columbia Center for the Arts.
Visit Hood River CEO Katie Kadlub stated, “We have some more things for families that we didn’t have last year that will be really showing the richness of our culture here in Hood River.”
Inspired by Central Oregon’s Winter PrideFest, Winter PrideFest is marketed as a weekend celebration of community and love that takes place outside of the summer, which is a popular season for pride celebrations.
According to James Pearrow, general manager of the Hood River Hotel, pride should be honored every day. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I believe it is crucial that any underprivileged group have year-round opportunity to come together and celebrate.
Kadlub and Pearrow, co-organizers of the festival, said they realized they needed to expand the event to include more community organizations after the overwhelming positive response to last year’s PrideFest, which drew about 250 people. This year’s events are expected to draw about 750 people, and they have extended their partnerships to include the Ruins and Hood River Hotel, the Columbia Center for the Arts, and the Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance.
According to Kadlub, there was only passion from all of these many entities. We simply got together to create something unique that was enjoyable for all.
In 2025, the successful drag brunch and bingo that were offered at the Hood River Winter PrideFest the year before will be back. Visit Hood River provided the image.Go to Hood River.
Additionally, the weekend event was scheduled for March 2, which is Mt. Hood Meadowson’s Pride Day. Lessons, lift tickets, and a snowshoe tour to Umbrella Falls will all be cheap during the yearly event.
“I think that outdoor recreation can be intimidating at times,” Kadlub stated. Sharing our enthusiasm and love for Hood River and one another is made possible by the presence of these enjoyable and lighthearted activities, as well as art and culture and recreation.
According to Kadlub, it’s also a chance for Hood River, a tiny town, to highlight its friendly community.
Pearrow stated that it is crucial for tiny towns to maintain areas where everyone may congregate. Since we live in a number of little towns here in the Gorge, I believe it is crucial to create a place where everyone can come together and just be human, especially given the present atmosphere.
A complete schedule of events and ticket costs can be found at visithoodriver.com/event/winter-pridefest. If you plan to attend, the events will take place at multiple venues in Hood River and Mt. Hood Meadows from 7 p.m. on February 28 to 4 p.m. on March 2.
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Chiara Profenna discusses faith, religion, and cultural ties. You may contact her at [email protected] or @chiaraprofenna, or 503-221-4327.
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust supports The Oregonian/OregonLive in its efforts to provide readers with articles about faith, religion, and cultural ties in Oregon. All content is the exclusive property of The Oregonian/OregonLive.
