Niagara Falls celebrates World Pride with 'Rainbow Reception' street party

Get ready to celebrate at Niagara Falls’ first-ever “Rainbow Reception” from 6-9 p.m. Sunday, June 30. The outdoor street party – on Mayor O’Laughlin Boulevard in downtown Niagara Falls – will be held after a mass LGBTQ+ wedding and vow renewal ceremony – “Married with Pride” – at Niagara Falls State Park earlier in the day.

Both events are in celebration of World Pride and Stonewall 50, hosted in New York City this June.

The “Rainbow Reception” will feature drag performances by Keke Valasquez-Lord, Veronica Lace, Chevon Davis and Fantasee Island, and music by DJ Milk.

The event is being hosted by the Hard Rock Café, Niagara Falls USA, in partnership with Niagara County Pride, the Pride Center of Western New York, Destination Niagara USA, Niagara Falls State Park, and I Love New York. It is free and open to the public, held rain or shine.

“We are so excited to be collaborating with Hard Rock Café as well as our other community partners to co-host the ‘Rainbow Reception’ in celebration of Stonewall 50 and WorldPride,” Pride Center of WNY Program Manager Steve Jagord said. “This is going to be a party to remember and a beautiful way to acknowledge the couples saying their vows to each other.”

In addition to music and live drag performances, the “Rainbow Reception” will feature food and drinks available for purchase from the Hard Rock Café and various LGBTQ+ informational tables. Hard Rock will also unveil its new pride-themed merchandise line, benefitting Mercury Phoenix Trust, created in memory of the legendary Freddie Mercury. The iconic restaurant and entertainment brand was founded on the mottos, “Love All – Serve All,” “Take Time to Be Kind,” “Save the Planet” and “All is One,” and honors its commitment to serve people and the planet through its partnership with The Mercury Phoenix Trust.

After the street party, guests are invited into Niagara Falls State Park at 10 p.m. to view a special World Pride rainbow illumination of Niagara Falls, accompanied by an evening fireworks display.

Pride Center of Western New York Inc. is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. The mission of the Pride Center is to work with the community to make Western New York a safe, healthy and satisfying place for LGBTQ people to live, work, and establish their families.