Northwoods Pride Festival July 15 at Nicolet College

Everyone is welcome to attend the free Northwoods Pride Festival Saturday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lakeside Center on the Nicolet College Campus. 

Festivities will include live music, a screening of the PBS Wisconsin documentary Wisconsin Pride, a LGBTQ Resource Fair, the Wisconsin Historical Society LGBTQ Display, kids story time and family activities, and social meetups. 

Food and drinks will be provided by multiple vendors.  

"Our mission is to build trusting relationships and a safe space for the LGBTQ community via entertainment, interactions, and educational opportunities,” said Di Wu, Rainbow Hodags co-advisor planning committee president. 

“We will celebrate the history, creativity, and diversity of the LGBTQ community to promote understanding and acceptance in northern Wisconsin. The first Northwoods Pride Festival was held in 2016 by a group of community members and Nicolet College students and staff. With the interruption of a global pandemic, it was held virtually in 2020 and 2021. And now, we are in the seventh year of making history!” 

Numerous events will fill the day starting with the LGBTQ Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kids Story Time from 11 a.m. to noon, a Social Meetup from 11:30 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., a Drag Show from 1:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., and closing remarks from 3:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

The new PBS Wisconsin documentary Wisconsin Pride will be shown the night before the Festival, at 6 p.m. Friday, July 14, in the Nicolet College Theatre. A facilitated discussion will follow. 

The film brings hidden LGBTQ stories forward and reconsiders our state’s history in that light. An individual from Rhinelander was interviewed for the film. 

“We are so thrilled to screen this film for free to all the public due to the wonderful partnership with PBS Wisconsin,” Wu said. “This activity will coincide with our goal to celebrate the history of the LGBTQ community and educate the participants about the diversity of human sexuality and gender.” 

All proceeds generated during the event will assist with event costs, provide leadership and educational opportunities for LGBTQ students, and fund scholarships for LGBTQ students attending Nicolet College. 

“We couldn’t do this without the generous support from our community, and there are many ways people can participate and get involved, such as sponsorship, getting a booth at the LGBTQ resource fair, volunteering, and giving donations.” Wu explained.  

Northwoods Pride Festival is hosted by the Nicolet College Rainbow Hodags and community volunteers. 

Nicolet College is located one mile south of Rhinelander just off of Hwy. G. 

For more information, visit northwoodspride.com.