GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — For Organizer Syndey Smith, Hastings Pride means a little bit more this year than other festivals. That's because for the first time, pride will be held in the city of 7,500 people.
"I was surprised that we hadn't had one yet," said Smith. "The community is here. And I know from living here my whole life and being part of that community."
"Hastings is changing a lot," said Smith. "And it's super important for people to know that there is community here. And it's a safe place where we can hold an event like this and really be integrated with the community."
The June 29 family-friendly pride festival will be a day to celebrate the rural towns LGBTQ+ community. Smith said it'll be a day full of crafts, music and a drag show.
Smith said organizers are relaying as much information about the festival as possible to Hastings Police, and is hoping for a day without any incidents.
"I have had people reach out to me with this worry," said Smith. "And I've seen some hateful comments from locals online. I don't really engage with that. But I do read them just to see if there's a real threat and they're our plan is to get our city police the most information we can about our festival. And I have faith that they will do their job correctly and well."
However, Smith adds, the upcoming pride festival has also seen its fair share of support.
"It's been support that I was expecting for there to be a lot of support but it's surprising me how happy people are that this is going to happen mostly," said Smith.
Hastings Pride will start at 1:00 p.m. on the 29th, with the drag show at 4:00 at Thornapple Plaza.
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