I’m crazy busy right now, getting ready for not one but two conventions later this month, and having just spent a lot of Saturday selling books at a third event, a local artisan fair.
The first convention starts on Friday. I have a lot to do to get ready, in addition to working on my new job as Events Coordinator for SFWA.
And yet, Mark prevailed upon me to take some time out of our busy schedule to go to Folsom Family Pride today. No, not that one – this one’s actually in Folsom, California, and there wasn’t a leatherman in sight. The event is in its second year, and I had no idea what to expect. Something small, probably: a few booths and some loud music. My hopes weren’t very high.
It was, in fact, small, but not nearly as small as I thought it would be. There were a hundred vendors, all crammed into the space between the street and City Hall in Lions Park. There was a festive atmosphere, lots of visitors, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous – mid 70’s and sunny with a slight breeze.
We ran into a bunch of people we knew too – folks from some other local Pride and LGBTQ groups, a few other friends we hadn’t seen for a while, even some straight allies from our new neighborhood.
We bought a burrito from one of the food trucks, got a couple of delicious M&M cookies from a gay couple with a bakery, and found out about a new-to-us little breakfast and lunch place in downtown Folsom that’s queer owned.
We listened to the gay men’s chorus and watched some queer cheerleaders cheer, and talked to a bunch of people selling things and offering services to the community.
It was a lovely afternoon – a couple hours away from all the stress and bullshit that surrounds us every day.
We were with our people on a bright, beautiful day in the park.