Second Annual Pride Event Set for Saturday at Gazebo

Front Royal’s downtown gazebo will come alive with color, music, and community spirit on Saturday, July 26, as Front Royal Pride returns for its second annual celebration. The event, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., promises a full day of activities, performances, and family-friendly fun that organizers say is twice the size of last year’s debut.

“We were blown away by the turnout last year,” said co-organizer Izzy France, speaking with the Royal Examiner. “We expected a modest crowd, but ended up with double the number of visitors we planned for, so this year, we’ve doubled everything.”

From the number of vendors and food trucks to an expanded lineup of drag performances, the event has grown in nearly every way. Last year’s 22 vendors have ballooned to 43, and food truck options have increased from three to five. Eight drag performers will take the stage throughout the day, up from four last year.

Alongside the entertainment, the event also highlights important community services. Nonprofit groups, such as the Phoenix Project, A.R.E.’s RISE Center, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will be on hand, alongside local small businesses selling a variety of items, including handmade jewelry and crocheted crafts.

France and fellow organizer Rae Spangler emphasized the event’s inclusive and positive atmosphere. “This is not a protest,” Spangler said. “It’s a celebration, a chance for a community that often feels unseen to be visible, to connect, and to be reminded that they are loved.”

Spangler noted that this year’s drag performances will run throughout the day and will include a spirited lip sync battle between the performers and a returning crowd favorite, the Royal Ropers, a local dance group that spontaneously joined the festivities last year and danced for hours. “Our queens loved them,” Spangler said. “Now we’ve made them part of the show.”

The organizers addressed a topic that often causes concern in some communities: the family-friendliness of drag performances. “There’s a big misunderstanding,” France said. “Drag at Pride events like this is about celebration, not shock. There’s no explicit content; it’s music, dancing, and joy.”

Safety, both physical and emotional, is a top priority. Organizers worked closely with the Town of Front Royal, which they say has been supportive throughout the planning process. “The town wants this to be a success as much as we do,” Spangler said. “They’ve been great.”

In addition to performances and vendor booths, the event will feature a range of activities suitable for all ages. One of the biggest hits last year, the button-making station, will return, encouraging attendees to create personalized pronoun pins and other creative designs. New this year is a Zine Station, where participants can write poems, draw art, or take photos throughout the day using loaner digital cameras. These creations will be compiled into a community zine that organizers hope to distribute after the event.

Front Royal Pride has drawn attention not just for its energy and fun, but for its focus on education and empowerment. “We make sure our vendors and activities align with our mission,” France explained. “We want everyone to walk away having learned something, felt supported, or been creatively inspired.”

Both organizers emphasized that the event is a reflection of the community’s support, from family members helping with setup to local groups volunteering their time. “Our dads are running the music this year,” Spangler laughed. “It’s a real family affair.”

Front Royal Pride’s second year marks more than just an event; it’s a growing tradition, rooted in inclusivity and community pride.

Event Details:

What: Front Royal Pride 2025

When: Saturday, July 26 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Where: Main Street Gazebo, Front Royal

Admission: Free and open to the public