A Pride parade and festival is scheduled to take place June 2 in Buffalo Grove, the first time such an event has taken place in that suburb.
The events are currently scheduled for June 2 and a route for the parade has already been determined, according to Carolyn Pinta, whose school-age daughter, Molly, conceived of them this past summer.
"We have at this point raised close to $20,000," said Carolyn, who added that she, Molly and other stakeholders formed a nonprofit to both help fund the Pride-month activities and supporting events, as well as eventually become a resource for other communities similarly wanting their own festivals.
The parade will cover a one-mile stretch, ending at Mike Ryalko Park. The festival, which is largely sponsored by the village's park district, will be called the "Festival of Diversity," Carolyn said.
"We're really just starting to throw around ideas," she added. "That end of it is what the park district is footing the bill for. Obviously, there will be aspects from the LGBT community, but we want to incorporate any aspect of culture in Buffalo Grove that wants to be highlights. I can anticipate Indian dance, for example, and booths where every culture is selling their food. There will also be a main stage with different performances, both from the fine-arts division of the park district and whatever outside folks we bring in. There's a lot of talk about drag queenswe've got a lot of drag queens involved."
Molly came up with the idea after attending a gay uncle's wedding; that also inspired her to start a well-received gay-straight alliance at Twin Grove Middle School. Molly herself eventually came out.
Carolyn noted that the organizers have been actively seeking corporate sponsorships for the June events. "We will highlight, highlight and highlight anyone becoming a sponsor, and advertise them like crazy."
Related: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Buffalo-Grove-girl-plans-for-2019-Pride-Parade/63632.html .