‘We are here, we are Queer and we are not going anywhere’: Kalamazoo Pride Fest draws thousands
MLive | by Devin Anderson-Torrez
Published June 7, 2025
KALAMAZOO, MI -- Pride returned to Arcadia Creek Festival Place on Friday, June 6.
The park filled with thousands of attendees celebrating and seeing one another for who they are.
“I didn’t grow up here but every time I come here I feel loved, I feel accepted and I feel celebrated,” Benjamin Violet said.
Violet won last year’s “All-Star” drag pageant and performed again this year.
Along with the pageant, which capped off the night, there were performances from Queer Theater Kalamazoo, Queer Chorus Kalamazoo, Face Off Theater and more.
Pride is hosted by OutFront Kalamazoo and it is the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser each year.
“We are here, we are Queer and we are not going anywhere,” drag queen and Kalamazoo native Monique Madison said to the crowd.
MLive photojournalist Devin Anderson-Torrez was there to document the evening.
To see all the photos from the event, scroll through the gallery at the top of the page or click this link.
Pride continues at Arcadia Creek on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Performances will happen throughout the day including Throb Zombie, Laura Rain & the Caesars, The Cosmoknights and more.