Naper Pride Fest returns for fourth year with live music and food

Naper Pride Fest returns for its fourth year on Saturday, Sept. 13. The goal is bringing the entire community together in celebration and support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

This family-friendly event is held from noon to 10 p.m. at Naper Settlement, which is a 13-acre living history museum at 523 S. Webster St. in downtown Naperville. It will be held rain or shine.

The main stage will showcase a mix of local and regional talent, including tributes, live bands, and interactive performances. It will begin with “Playlist Favorites” from 11:30 a.m. to noon, followed by the national anthem by Willa Zatzenbloom at 12:10 p.m. and a performance of “Lift Every Voice” at 12:15 p.m.

Myles Barnes, an aspiring R&B/pop singer from Aurora, will perform at 1 p.m. Beyond the Blonde will be performing tributes to P!NK, Gwen Stefani and Lady Gaga from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

One Foot in the Groove, an eight-piece horn-driven classic rock band, will be playing from 3 to 4 p.m. Sparks Fly: A Taylor Swift Experience will be coming to the stage from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by Summer Dance featuring Keri Traid & Miss Moscato at 7 p.m. and the Cheryl Rodey Band at 7:45 p.m.

Crocodile Rockstar will close out the festival with a tribute to Elton John from 9 to 10 p.m.

There will be a vendor area for organizations and businesses to share their resources, products, games, and services.

Adults can enjoy a beer garden which will highlight cold beer, hard cider, and canned cocktails. Food vendors will offer a wide variety of options to satisfy even the most discerning of tastes.

Advance tickets are $10 for age 18 or older and $5 for youth, age 10 to 17; free for age 10 or younger. It’s an additional $5 at the gate.

Both gates are located on Aurora Avenue. Gate 1 is just west of the Martin Mitchell mansion. Gate 2 is just south of the corner of Aurora Avenue and Webster Street on Webster. For the security and comfort of guests, the gate on the corner or Webster and Porter Avenue will be closed this year; use the gates on Aurora Avenue.

Parking is free at the following locations:

• Municipal parking lot, located on the northwest corner of Aurora Ave & Webster

• Naper Settlement parking lot, located on the southwest corner of Webster & Porter Avenue

• Naperville Central High School lot, located on the southwest corner of Webster & Hillside.

One of the largest and most cohesive LGBTQ communities in Chicago’s nine collar county area, the Naper Pride Organization is a family-centered, Naperville-focused, celebration of LGBTQ members of Naperville.

Naper Pride’s goal is to bring together people from all walks of life family, friends, neighbors and allies in a celebration of inclusivity.

Through its programs and events focused on family, education, health and wellness of body, mind, and soul, Naper Pride seeks to fulfill its mission of supporting efforts that promote a community environment that treats every individual with equality, dignity, and respect.

Naper Pride is an all-volunteer organization. One hundred percent of all proceeds go directly in support of the LGBTQ+ community.