Locals organize Greenwood’s first Pride event

It started with an idea to create a space for Greenwood’s LGBTQ community, and that grew into the city’s first-ever Pride festival.

Heather Smith, Matthew Smith and John Michael Jones started Greenwood Indiana Pride in the summer of 2019, with a vision of hosting events for the LGBTQ community in the city.

Plans for an event to celebrate Pride, which takes place during the month of June, started at the time, but were put on hold at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic last year.

“It didn’t make sense why there hasn’t been anything in our community like this, because we’re such a large community and we’re diverse,” Heather Smith said. “When Columbus did their Pride event, that’s when my partner and I were like, we could do this.”

This year, they initially wanted to host a small Pride picnic, but those plans quickly changed as more people showed interest, Heather Smith said.

The planning committee grew from the original three founders to 25 people, and now Greenwood’s first Price Block Party will take place June 5 at Craig Park.

More than 800 people indicated they are either going or interested in the event on Facebook. And it has garnered attention from several local vendors interested in booth space, so much so that Heather Smith has had to turn vendors down because the entire event is booked.

“People got really excited. I’ve had no negative response at all, which is surprising with an event this size,” Heather Smith said.

Indianapolis-based Hewitt Law and Mediation, Johnny Carino’s and Hoosier Brewing Company signed on as the main sponsors for the Pride Block Party. Johnny Carino’s will serve its food, and Hoosier Brewing will serve its local beer, including the debut of it’s special Pride Month beer, complete with a rainbow-colored can.

Craig Park will be filled with food trucks, local artist booths, a silent auction, live music and a Kid Corner with face painting, art activities and books for children.

Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers will open the event at noon June 5. Angela Elliott, a local politician and former candidate for House District 93, will also be there.

“We’re really excited that people embraced the idea. It feels really good for the three of us to be able to create at least a space in our community for the LGBTQ community,” Heather Smith said. “We all live here, and we all love it here.”

All proceeds collected for the Pride event will go to Trinity Haven, an area nonprofit based in Indianapolis that provides support and transitional housing placement for local LGBTQ youth and young adults who are at risk of homelessness.

“They’re kind of newer, and we wanted to support them because we love that they exist and it’s awesome what they do,” Heather Smith said.

The Pride Block Party is family-friendly and open to everyone in the community. Masks will be required, even for vaccinated individuals.

“It’s going to be a fun and really impactful event,” Heather Smith said.

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What: Greenwood Pride Block Party

When: Saturday, June 5, noon to 5 p.m.

Where: Craig Park, 10 E. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood

Activities: Local food vendors, beer from Hoosier Brewing Company, live music, local artists, a Kids Corner with face painting and activities.

All donations will go to Trinity Haven in Indianapolis. Donations can be made online at givebutter.com/GreenwoodIndianaPride2021

Masks are required during the event.

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Greenwood Indiana Pride is seeking volunteers to help with set up for the Pride Block Party June 5.

Those interested can contact organizer Heather Smith at [email protected] or visit the Greenwood Indiana Pride Facebook page to fill out the online volunteer form.

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