Kent Rainbow Weekend

Kent Rainbow Weekend

October 7 & 8, 2022

This year’s Rainbow Weekend will feature a bar crawl, rainbow run, art exhibits, “Courageously Queer” storytelling, live music, Safe Space training, speaker panels, and more!! We’ll also have a special presentation of the documentary “Mama Bears” and lots of Kent Pride decorations in downtown Kent. Residents, students, and visitors are all invited to help us celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Presented by Absolut and sponsored by PFLAG Kent, The Portager, College Town Kent, Hall-Green Agency and Auto-Owners Insurance.

Rainbow Weekend Bar Crawl

Fri., Oct. 7 Check in at Water Street Tavern from 5-7pm to pick up your bar crawl pass, Absolut mason jar, rainbow jello shot, Kent Rainbow Weekend bracelet and swag. Guests will automatically be entered to win a grand prize! Enjoy Absolut drink specials, live music, DJ’s, art exhibits and more. Visit as many places as you wish! Event runs until bars close. A generous portion of proceeds will benefit the Kent State LGBTQ+ Center Emergency Fund.

Love Glows On : Rainbow Run

Fri., Oct. 7 | 7pm @ Risman Plaza on Kent State Campus

Grab your sneakers for the 7th annual Rainbow Run, hosted by the Kent State LGBTQ+ Center. Proceeds from this event will help replenish the LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund, which supports KSU students that are in crisis, oftentimes after being disowned by family for coming out as LGBTQ.

After the 5 K, enjoy the End of the Rainbow celebration at North Water Brewing!

$20 for students; $25 for non-students

Friday Entertainment

Van Sailin’ – Yacht Rock @ Water Street Tavern 6-9pm

Live Music (to be announced) @ Zephyr Pub 9pm

DJ Jeff Tritt @ 157 Lounge 10pm-close

Rocky Horror Picture Show @ The Kent Stage 11:59pm

Friday Arts & Activities

Pride in Kent @ FJKluth Art Gallery, 12-5pm

Rainbow Weekend Art Exhibit @ Bell Tower Brewing, 12-11pm

Rainbow Flower Bar by Bellflower @ Bell Tower Brewing, 4-8pm

True Colors – a group show  @ Troppus Projects, reception 5-7pm

Strut – an exhibition featuring the work of Danny Likar @ Squirrel City Jewelers, reception 5-8pm

Kids’ Coloring Contest @ Bent Tree Coffee, 7am-7pm Take & Make Rainbow Craft (while supplies last) & Pride children’s book display @Kent Free Library, 9am-6pm

Sat. Education/Panel Discussions

Kent Free Library, 2nd floor Sessions are FREE; donations welcome! 100% will benefit Kent State LGBTQ+ Center Emergency Fund

Safe Space Ally Training 10am-12pm – REGISTER

How Faith Leaders Create LGBTQ+ Affirming Spaces 12:30-1:45pm – REGISTER

Parents: Pitfalls and Proud Moments, PFLAG Panel  2:15-3:30pm –  REGISTER

Mama Bears, a documentary

Sat.,Oct. 8 | 4:30-6pm | FREE! Franklin Hall FirstEnergy Interactive Auditorium

Did you know there are more than 32,000 mothers in America, many from conservative, Christian backgrounds, who fully accept their LGBTQ+ children? They call themselves “mama bears” because while their love is warm and fuzzy, they fight ferociously to make the world kinder and safer for all LGBTQ+ people. Although they may have grown up as fundamentalist, evangelical Christians, they are willing to risk losing friends, family, and faith communities to keep their children safe—even if it challenges their belief systems and rips their worlds apart. More info: thefilmcollaborative.org/films/mamabears

Saturday Entertainment

Morgan Mecaskey & Jess Miller @ Bell Tower Brewing, 2-4pm

Courageously Queer Storytelling @ North Water Brewing, 7-8pm

Ladies Night Band @ Water Street Tavern, 7-10pm

Diana Chittester @ North Water Brewing, 8:30-10:30pm

Comedy Show with Moop Troop @ Bell Tower Brewing, 8:30-10pm

Drag Show @ Zephyr Pub, 9pm

Saturday Arts & Activities

Rainbow Ribbon Streamer Craft (while supplies last) @ Red Letter Days, 3-6pm

Rainbow Face Painting @ Popped! 3-6pm

DJ, Drag Queen Speed Tarot & More @ Acorn Alley Courtyard, Hippie Fox Rocks, 3-6pm

“Spread the Love” Interactive Art @ Franklin Hall, 3:30-4:30pm

Take & Make Rainbow Craft & Book Display @ Kent Free Library, 9am-5pm

Pride in Kent Exhibition @ FJKluth Art Gallery, 12-5pm

Rainbow Weekend Art Exhibit @ Bell Tower Brewing, 12-11pm

True Colors – a group show  @ Troppus Projects, 12-5pm

Strut – an exhibition featuring the work of Danny Likar @ Squirrel City Jewelers, 11am-7pm

Kids’ Coloring Contest @ Bent Tree Coffee, 8am-6pm

Take & Make Rainbow Craft (while supplies last) & Pride children’s book display @Kent Free Library, 9am-6pm

Food/Drink/Merchandise

Bent Tree Coffee – Rainbow Turtle Mocha*, Rainbow Cookies* & Cake Pops*

Kent Natural Foods Co-Op – 5% off Rainbow Candles

Kent Sportswear – Kent, OH Pride tees

Popped! – Rainbow Candies & Rainbow Quilt Raffle

*proceeds from sale of items will benefit the Kent State LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund

https://www.mainstreetkent.org/events/kent-rainbow-weekend/