Kent Rainbow Weekend

Our Kent Rainbow Weekend committee is hard at work planning this year’s Rainbow Weekend! Get ready for Kent State’s Rainbow Run, a kick-off happy hour at Water Street Tavern, “Courageously Queer” storytelling, a Pride Dance Party at Bell Tower, Safe Space training, and more!

We’ll also have lots of Kent Pride decorations in downtown Kent. Residents, students, and visitors are all invited to help us celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

For more information and details visit https://mainstreetkent.org/event/kent-rainbow-weekend/

KENT RAINBOW WALK

Main Street Kent presents the first ever Rainbow Walk! Similar to a Chocolate Walk, guests will check in at the Kent State Hotel & Conference Center  between noon and 2pm to pick up their Kent Rainbow Weekend reusable tote, event pass and map, before heading out to over 20 Kent businesses to collect an array of rainbow-themed items. Our businesses are creating fun giveaways for our guests, some sweet and tasty, some Pride/rainbow swag — all themed for this special weekend. Tickets Now Available!

RAINBOW RUN 2023

Friday, October 13, 7:00pm at Risman Plaza on the Kent State University campus.

A 5K Race with All of the Colors! Join us for the 8th annual Rainbow Run!

Coordinated by the Kent State LGBTQ+ Center, Rainbow Run helps provide funding to replenish the LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund, which supports KSU students who are in crisis, often after being disowned by family for coming out as LGBTQ. Must Register.

Friday Activities RAINBOW KICK-OFF HAPPY HOUR

6:00-9:00pm Water Street Tavern $3 Absolut cocktails, free rainbow swag & fun music by DJ Chris Hatton

FRIENDSHIP BRACELET MAKING

noon-6:00pm Earl’s Nest/Acorn Alley hosted by Sun in Leo $10 participation

TIE DYE WORKSHOP

noon-8:00pm Branded at Kent $15 for a top & dye, $10 for dye if you bring your own tee

RAINBOW FILM FEST

4:00pm Kent Free Library Featuring the film “The Way He Looks”. Light snacks provided.

RAINBOW DRUM CIRCLE

7:00pm Hippie Fox Rocks at Acorn Plaza Rainbow dressed dancers encouraged at this drum circle!

ART SHOW

7:00am-6:00pm Scribbles Coffee Artworks by Danny Linkin on display

DRAG BINGO & CELEBRATION

7:00pm Bingo 9:00pm Celebration Zephyr Pub Play drag bingo then stay for a drag show celebration.

MOSS ART WORKSHOP

7:00-8:15pm Flourish Plant Market This PRIDE edition workshop will include a selection of colorful moss to choose from. Tickets Available

Saturday Activities SAFE SPACE TRAINING

9:00-11:00am Kent Free Library Safe Space 101: LGBTQ+ Cultural Competence Training

MUST REGISTER

ADVOCACY PANEL

11:15-12:45pm Kent Free Library Hear from representatives from TransOhio & Equality Ohio

MUST REGISTER

DREAM CATCHERS

12:00 pm-3:00pm Tiger Rae Boutique Create your own rainbow dream catcher. Free; $5 LGBTQ+ charity donations welcome.

PRIDE ARTISAN FAIR

10:00am-3:00pm Hobbs Hall Arts & crafts by LGBTQ+ artists & allies at the UU Church events hall

PRIDE BIKE RIDE

11:00am-12:30pm Kent Cycle Decorate your bike and yourself!

RAINBOW REVIVAL MARKET

11:00am-5:00pm Dan Smith Community Park 15+ Vintage & Handcrafted Vendors, plus Live Music

PRIDE ALLEY ART SHOW

11:00am-5:00pm Acorn Alley Artists of all kinds throughout Acorn Alley

RAINBOW FILM FEST

1:00pm Kent Free Library Featuring the film “Rafiki”. Light snacks provided.

FILM

3:00-5:00pm Kent United Church of Christ Featuring the film “For They Know Not What They Do”

RAINBOW FILM FEST

3:00pm Kent Free Library Featuring the film “Straight Up”. Light snacks provided.

TEA DANCE

3:00-6:00pm Bar Lucci DJ, swag, fun drinks, photo booth. Tickets available soon!

COURAGEOUSLY QUEER

6:00-7:00pm North Water Brewing LGBTQ+ storytelling event focused on the theme: Resilience

PRIDE DANCE PARTY

8:00-11:00pm Bell Tower Brewing A FREE dance party with funky lights, live DJ, “most proud” outfit contest; 18+

ROCKY HORROR

midnight The Kent Stage Get ready to Time Warp at the classic Rocky Horror Picture Show!

TICKETS AVAILABLE

Business Offerings

Barrio Tacos – Proud Pineapple margaritas Belleria – Rainbow Pizza & Pride Shot Flights (50% proceeds benefit KSU LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund) Branded at Kent – $10 flannel sale Dominick’s –Rainbow Bombs and Shot Specials Flourish – Locally-made rainbow and pride themed plant accessories GRAZERS – Dine to Donate (10% of your purchase will be donated to The Trevor Project), 20% of tie-dye shirt (proceeds will benefit KSU LGBTQ+ Center emergency fund)

Kent Sportswear – Pride Themed T-shirts Popped! – Rainbow quilt raffle; rainbow sprinkled treats Scribbles –Rainbow lattes Sun in Leo – Gender fluid clothing, LGBTQ books and merchandise Tiger Rae – Rainbow/pride themed items for sale Troppus Projects – Rainbow Themed set of “Troppus 20/20s” (20 small artworks for $20 each)