Michigan City park board approves PrideFest license after heated public debate over drag show

The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board voted unanimously March 5 to approve a major event license for PrideFest, a one-day festival set for June 14 at the amphitheater in Washington Park.

The decision followed more than an hour of public comment in which residents, community leaders and event organizers raised opposing concerns about a drag show component of the festival and whether portions of the event are suitable for children.

Supporters said the festival is family friendly, important to LGBTQ+ residents and an economic draw. Julie Geier, identified in the meeting as the festival organizer, told the board the event includes a wide variety of vendors, community groups and services and said the festival “serves like 6,000 people that day.” John Littlesberger, who runs a local website, said, “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a drag show,” and urged the board to keep the event approved so performers and queer artists have a local stage.

Opponents urged limits on the variety show portion of the program or relocation to an age-restricted venue. Several speakers cited concerns about children seeing what they called sexually suggestive attire, and one attendee read an open letter signed by members of a local church urging the board to “protect the children.” Board members and festival organizers said the stage is not visible to casual passersby unless a person intentionally enters the festival’s single main entrance and moves to the amphitheater area. Organizers also said the show follows family-friendly guidelines: no removal of clothing, no cursing and no sexually explicit material.

Board members discussed the balance between public safety, free expression and economic impact. Council liaison remarks during the discussion noted that the event has brought large numbers of visitors to the area in past years and that no formal complaints about the event had been filed to his office during his time as liaison.

After public comment the board made a motion to accept the major license agreement; the vote was taken by roll call and recorded as unanimous in favor.

The license approval allows the festival to proceed under the same setup and timing as the prior year: vendor set up beginning at 7 a.m., event hours from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and teardown completed by 11 p.m. Organizers said they will continue to manage the event layout so that the amphitheater performances are not visible from the park’s main entrance without deliberate entry.

The board did not adopt additional restrictions on the variety show or require an age limit; organizers and board members said they would rely on the event’s stated family-friendly content restrictions and on public awareness for parents wishing to avoid the performance.

The board’s approval clears one of the municipal permissions organizers said they need to stage PrideFest at Washington Park this summer.