General News
17 June, 2024
Second pride festival returns
In a celebration of inclusivity and diversity in the community, Maryborough’s “country fair meets pride festival” is back for a second time — re-branded as Outburst: Winter Pride. Returning to the town this week, the event is set to be held...
In a celebration of inclusivity and diversity in the community, Maryborough’s “country fair meets pride festival” is back for a second time — re-branded as Outburst: Winter Pride.
Returning to the town this week, the event is set to be held on June 21 and June 22, with the two-day program boasting a range of family-friendly functions and sessions.
According to festival director Adrian Masterman-Smith, excitement has been brewing for Outburst and all that it stands for.
“It’s about supporting the [LGBTIQA+] community and the overarching themes of inclusion, equality and diversity in the region,” he said.
“There’s a lot of great festivals in Maryborough but none of them address those things directly so Outburst is really important from that perspective.
“This event holds community values, and respects and embraces them — Outburst is about asking locals to be visible in making those values who we are.”
More than just an annual event, Mr Masterman-Smith also hopes to make the festival synonymous with Maryborough.
“We’re hoping Outburst will become a natural connection to the town,” he said.
“There’s data to show that if you promote your community as vibrant and progressive, more people are likely to consider settling in.
“With the help of this event, we could easily bump up our population because there’s already great facilities here and this would just add to Maryborough’s [social fabric].”
The $13,000 event — funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and the Central Goldfields Shire — will likely see hundreds flocking in to Maryborough this weekend.
“Last year we had about 450 people and I think we’ll get similar numbers this time,” Mr Masterman-Smith said.
“I’m also cautiously optimistic that we can grow beyond that because it’s a fantastic event — it’s a bit like a country fair meets pride festival, there’s a little bit of both so there’s something for everyone.
“It’s also very family oriented, all the acts have been managed for a family audience — I encourage everyone to come along and experience some community pride.”
Outburst: Winter Pride will kick off with an evening function at The Station Cafe on Friday from 6.30 pm onwards and will be followed by a jam-packed festival on Saturday at Mill House from 11 am to 4 pm.
Events have also been organised at the Maryborough Regional Library.
To view the full program and to get more information about the festival, visitpridefestivalmaryborough.org.au