Naperville's 1st-Ever Pride Fest Promises Fun For Whole Family

NAPERVILLE, IL — “When I was a kid you didn’t want anybody to know. There was nobody you could tell. You didn't even know who each other was," Naper Pride Executive Director Margie Wolf told Patch about what it was like to grow up a lesbian in Naperville. After more than 50 years as a Naperville resident, Wolf is ready to celebrate how far things have come in a pretty big way as she preps to host the first-ever Naperville Pride Fest Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 at Naper Settlement.

Celebrating As "One Naperville"

The Naper Pride Fest was first set to debut in 2020, but was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Entitled "Together Under the Big Top," the two-day 2021 festival promises to entertain the whole family with live musical acts, wandering circus performers, food trucks, beer tents and more.

For Wolf, “Pride fest is a way to bring Naperville together to celebrate." She added, "After the year we’ve had we could use some celebrating."

Wolf told Patch she and her wife, Ann, came up with the idea to host a pride festival in Naperville a few years ago. The Wolfs, who will celebrate 18 years together in October, had attended Chicago's Pride festival and often mused about hosting a Pride event in the western suburbs.

At first, Wolf envisioned an "old-fashioned family picnic" to mark Pride in Naperville. That nascent idea blossomed quickly into the upcoming festival, with the help of an event management company and the city's Special Events Cultural Amenities program.

Wolf said the festivities are "designed to celebrate the LGBTQ community, but we want our neighbors to celebrate with us."

“We want to celebrate as a whole community... as one Naperville," she added.

Sept. 11 Remembrance

A memorial ceremony will be held Saturday at 11 p.m. to honor those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Featured speakers include Illinois State Representative Janet Yang Rohr, Naperville City Council member Benny White and DuPage County Board member Dawn DeSart, who also serves on the Naper Pride Board of Directors.

"We recognize that we have a huge responsibility carrying that day," Wolf told Patch. She added that, though it's important to pay respects to victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, it's important to go on enjoying the day. "[O]ur life doesn’t stop or the people who did this win," Wolf said.

DeSart told Patch the remembrance will be a "very somber memorial to 9/11.”

Live Entertainment

DeSart and Wolf both told Patch the Naper Pride Fest aims to offer something for the whole family. One way to achieve that was by curating the ideal musical lineup, according to Wolf, which she said features "bands that will appeal to literally everybody.”

There will even be an hour of acoustic performances set aside to accommodate visitors with sensory sensitivities.

The lineup is as follows:

Sept. 11

12:30 p.m.: The Millennials

2:30 p.m.: Ultra Beat

4:20 p.m.: Linda Clifford

6:05 p.m.: Katie Kadan, who was featured on NBC's "The Voice"

7:45 p.m.: Ada Vox, who competed on "American Idol"

8:40 p.m.: Grammy Award winner Thelma Houston

Sept. 12

September 12 will feature an hour of entertainment and activities that are geared toward seniors and visitors who have sensory sensitivities, Wolf said. This will include an acoustic performance from Rosie and the Rivets at 11 a.m.

11 a.m.: Rosie and the Rivets

1 p.m.: Hello Weekend

2:45 p.m.: Queen Explosion

4:30 p.m.: Boy Band Review

Roaming Performers and Other Activities

In keeping with the "Big Top" circus theme, Naper Pride Fest 2020 will feature circus performers that will make their way through the crowds juggling, performing magic tricks and swallowing fire. No circus animals or clowns will be at the event.

Big Run Wolf Ranch will be on hand to introduce guests to animals who are native to Illinois and to share information about how to co-exist with these different species.

Food and Drinks

Food trucks and food stands will be scattered throughout Naper Settlement for Pride Fest, serving up eats that are inspired by beloved circus snacks and fair food. These include hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, corn dogs and other goodies.

Two beer tents will be on hand to sell beer and canned wine from Boston Lager.

Craft Vendors and LGBTQ Services

Festival goers can browse handmade items and original art at Pride Fest's craft booths. There will also be booths onsite providing information about Naper Pride, Youth Outlook, 360 Youth Services and other resources for LGBTQ individuals and teens.

COVID-19 Precautions

To attend Naper Pride Fest 2021, residents who are 18 and older must present a coronavirus vaccination card or proof of a negative coronavirus test within the past 72 hours. If you don't have recent test results, you can get tested for coronavirus for free at any gate to the festival grounds and have your results within 15 minutes. Children younger than 18 will not be required to provide proof of a coronavirus vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results.

The DuPage County Health Department's Care Van will also be at the event to provide free coronavirus vaccines to eligible residents.

Wolf added that these guidelines are subject to change.

"So Excited"

“Oh my gosh, we are so excited to have this festival and to have people come out and enjoy the day with their families and their kids and their grandkids," DeSart told Patch.

Wolf echoed that sentiment. She told Patch Tuesday, “It’s kind of scary and it’s exciting all at the same time.”

"We're kind of slaphappy at this point," Wolf added.

She said, “We hope people come out and give it a chance and really see what we can do, and enjoy it with us.”

Naperville Pride Fest will be held Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St.