BELLEVILLE, IL – Early morning storms subsided to usher in a picture perfect day, June 18, for the 4th Annual Metro East PrideFest downtown Belleville. Metro East Pride of Southwestern Illinois (MEPSI), which organizes the annual lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied celebration estimated attendance for the West Main street event to be at 5,000.
Pride goers of all ages browsed some 50 booths ranging from LGBT organizations and non profits to religious groups, supportive businesses, food vendors and kids corner.
Representatives from the regions three LGBT Pride committees were on hand and the camaraderie and mutual respect was in full view as the presidents of each organization (Tyler Hill, Pride St. Louis; Audrey Pearson, St. Louis Black Pride and Sarah Baldwin, MEPSI) helped judge a last minute dance competition.
Emcees Courtney Landrum from Y98 and the incomparable icon, Dieta Pepsi warmed up the crowds from the Pride stage which showcased an upbeat array of acts, including Jennifer Norman, POWjr72, Summer Osborne, You’re Not Kablamo and EarthSol.
Belleville’s own David Dover (Sophia Cavockovitch) returned for a rare performance and to announce the MEPSI Royal Court – Roxie Norwood and Out of Sync (Miss/Mr. Metro East Pride) and Butterscotch and Trevor the Love Muscle (Queen/King of Club Escapade).
In an emotional tribute, Freeburg, Ill. native and St. Louis drag diva Bobb Kehrer (Khrystal Leight), the reigning Miss Queen of Pride, paid tribute to his brother-in-law Sonny Pitts who received the 2011 MEPSI Spirit Award. Also honored were Club Escapade owners Rick Hembree and Harold Schwartz with the 2011 Brenda Grissom and Dixie Ruliffson Community Service Award.
Since 2008, Metro East Pride has served as the official kickoff to Pride Season in St. Louis. The festivities continue June 25-26 with St. Louis PrideFest and St. Louis Black Pride Aug. 19-21.
