SOUTHERN FINGER LAKES PRIDE (SOFLX PRIDE) CELEBRATES ITS 5TH ANNUAL PRIDE FESTIVAL 

Corning, NY – June 2024 – Southern Finger Lakes Pride, aka SoFLX Pride, will celebrate its 5th Annual Pride Festival from June 7 through June 9, 2024. This year’s festival theme is Taking Up Space, representing our commitment to honoring the strides toward equality and the ongoing efforts to ensure inclusivity for all. We are thrilled to host various events and activities that reflect the diverse fabric of our community. SFLX Pride hosted its inaugural festival in 2019 with much success and participation from the community. Events will kick off along Market St, in Corning, NY, on June 7th from 4:00 PM - 1:00 AM and the full festival on Saturday, June 8th from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There will be live performances, art, vendors, and a 21+ beverage garden with local breweries and wineries!

“SoFLX Pride’s efforts make the community stronger not by focusing on needs but by valuing and supporting the gifts of LGBTQIA2S+ folks, especially youth, in towns around the Finger Lakes,” said Board Chair Troy Smythe. He added, “Five years ago, SoFLX Pride brought the strong and joyful spirit, historically associated with PRIDE, to our region with a hometown touch, inviting all to find strength and joy in our relationships with each other and our allies. The need for SoFLX Pride, which includes our amazing sponsors and festival attendees, has never been greater. Thankfully, our commitment to meet that need has never been higher.”

The Southern Finger Lakes Pride Festival is committed to being an inclusive event. The venue is wheelchair accessible, with free wheelchair charging stations, designated wheelchair seating, and social-distanced seating in the park. We encourage everyone to attend and celebrate in a safe and welcoming environment.

SoFLX Pride extends a heartfelt thanks to the festival sponsors for their generous support. They are Corning Inc. SPECTRA & ADAPT, Gimme Coffee, Finger Lakes Wine Country, Planned Parenthood of Greater NY, The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes, Hilliard Corp, Chemung Canal, The Garage at RYE, Card Carrying Books & Gifts, Brave World Media, Guthrie, Grandma’s Kitchen, Trillium Health, Eleven Lakes Market, First Heritage. 

The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes has granted funding to support artists on stage. This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, supported by the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.

Festival Highlights:

• FRIDAY, JUNE 7th Twas the Night Before Pride, on Market St, Corning, NY

• 6:00 PM Official Flag Raising & Festival Kickoff - Join us to raise the Pride flag and kickoff SoFLX Pride Festival Weekend at Centerway Square, Market St, Corning, NY

• 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tarot and Psychic Readings at Okultik: Metaphysical Supply Store 5 W Market St

• 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Summer Gallery Walk - Visit opening art exhibitions and artist talks in downtown Corning

• 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM SoFLX Pride Art Installation Upstairs at Rabbit Row Yarns & Haberdashery 24 E Market St

• 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Drag Bingo at The Quincy Exchange - Join Ally Payne, WINK 106, and Miss Viola for a fun night of Drag, Drinks & Bingo to support SoFLX Pride! At The Quincy Exchange 2 E Market St, Corning, NY

• 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Dance in the Square! Grab your friends and family to Dance, Connect, and get your SoFLX Pride Merch & Festival Info at Centerway Square, Market St, Corning, NY

• 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Special Guest Artist Chloe Star Meet & Greet at Card Carrying Books & Gifts 15 E Market St

• 8:00 PM - 1:00 AM SoFLX Pride 21+ Dance Party at VOLO Bar & Lounge 74 E Market St, Corning

• Free queer positive movie at The Palace Theatre

• Drink specials from participating restaurants with proceeds supporting SoFLX Pride

• SATURDAY, June 8th, Pride Festival, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Market St, Riverfront Park, Corning, NY - Free to the Public

• Live Performances: Mainstage 1 pm - 5 pm; enjoy a stellar lineup of performances from local artists, musicians, drag queens, and special guest headlining artists Chloe Star and Lady Bushra. 

• The fabulous drag queen Vanessa le Diva will host the main stage.

• Vendors: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Explore Market St with over 60 vendors and local businesses, artisans, and non-profits. This is a great opportunity to support LGBTQ+-friendly and owned enterprises. Family activities, face painting, food, fun and giveaways.

• Activities: Line Dance workshops, Roller Derby demo by the Black Diamond Rollers, Hooping demonstrations, Mindfulness Walk with Tai Chi sessions

• Free queer positive movie at The Palace Theatre, Market St, Corning

• 21+ FLX Craft Beverage Tasting Garden sponsored by Finger Lakes Wine Country in Riverfront Park

• SUNDAY, June 9th: Drag Brunch 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM at The Quincy Exchange sponsored by Finger Lakes Wine Country $20 entrance ticket to support SoFLX Pride! A la carte brunch menu not included in the ticket price.

We are honored to welcome our Special Guest Artists: 

• Music Artist: Chloe Star, a pop-punk musician. Her EP  “the bed i lie in” is out now. Chloe is a queer, Persian, and Indigenous singer, songwriter, visual artist and tribal advocate from Los Angeles, CA.

• Drag Comedy & Cabaret Performer: Lady Bushra, the BBC New Comedy Award shortlisted drag comedian. Played by Amir, Lady Bushra is a bad girl from the U.K. and is internationally known for her viral digital content and one-liners. Get ready to hear about life from a British South Asian perspective with heavy doses of humor!

• The White Sabers Drum & Bugle Corps: performing their 2024 show AURORA!

About Southern Finger Lakes Pride:

Since 2019, SoFLX Pride has empowered and supported members of the LGBTQIA+ community while advocating for equity in our region. Southern Finger Lakes Pride supports the well-being of our Southern Finger Lakes LGBTQIA+ youth and their loved ones by connecting them with affirming resources, advancing community acceptance through education, and providing opportunities for inclusive celebration. To learn more about SoFLX Pride, the festival, and how to get involved, please visit SoFLXPride.org.