By Madhu Mayer
A first-ever Pride Fest will be held in the Village of Plainfield to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Plainfield Village Board Monday unanimously approved the Plainfield Pride’s request for a one-day family-friendly event on Sunday, Oct. 16. The event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. will feature musical performances, food vendors and a bounce house. The event will be held in the parking lot of Prairie Activity and Recreation Center 24550 W. Renwick Road. Alcohol likely will be sold and it will be contained within the parking lot of the center, according to organizer Jes McIlvain, who also is executive director of Plainfield Pride.
The event will not cause street closures in the area, but village trustee Patricia Kalkanis said she would feel much better knowing there will be security detail at the event.
“My concern is security,” said Kalkanis. “I want to make sure there is enough officers.”
McIlvain said her goal is to have the festival attendees feel safe on park district grounds.
“We will have police presence because we know there are a lot of people who don’t like us,” she said.
When asked by trustee Brian Wojowski whether she knows how many police officers will be stationed, McIlvain said their $4,500 budget will determine the exact number. Also, she said the group will know in about a month whether alcohol will be sold as organizers are working with a local brewery to provide the libations.
The mission of Plainfield Pride is to promote the idea of equity for Plainfield, according to its Web site. “We are one community; we will foster a family-friendly, diverse, inclusive and equal community. We will lead the way in the community for all people regardless of orientation, gender, sex, race, religion, or ability (by) working to share common values, visions, and goals.
“We will host events that celebrate the history, heritage and accomplishments of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Sergio Ramos, 28, of Plainfield said he is glad the village board is supporting a cause so important to the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Pride truly matters to us,” said Ramos. “The rainbow symbol represents the struggles of my community. Events like this go a long way in showing we are a part of this town and makes us feel welcome.”
Ashley Miller, who works with youths, said everyone needs to feel welcome, regardless of their sexual orientation.
“Kids need to feel safe and be accepted,” she said. “This would be a great event for the community.”
While everyone who spoke at the meeting was in support of the festival, the only dissenter was a man holding a Bible who proclaimed, “Our greatest problem today is our sin against God.”
