I was driving the 16-foot moving truck that we use to haul all of the PrideFest materials around Denver today feeling especially futch. Futch is a new term given to me by a new friend that I cannot use enough. Futch = Feminine butch. Incredible, right? I haven’t really nailed down all of the details like, is there a spectrum of qualifying members? Does it apply to those who are on the feminine side of butch as well as the butch side of feminine (because believe me there is a difference)? These are things I’m willing to get to the bottom of and could probably take an entire blog to discuss, but perhaps not today...
I was driving the truck today because it’s day 5 in the week of PrideFest. I’ve been singing a little carol in my head, “on the 5th day of PrideFest Amy Drayer said to me...” and it’s been helping me lighten my load when I get too serious about throwing a 300,000-person festival. Today she said something about a truck and some grommet kits. Try working that into a song…
While we feel like we’re in the home stretch here at The Center, the festival hasn’t even started for you all yet. I thought it might be fun to go around and ask folks in the office during the 11th hour what their one PrideFest tip would be to participants. Here is what they said:
Rob Hoiting, Grant Writer: “Eat as many foods that come on a stick as you can… That’s the point of a festival, right?”
Craig Overholser, Executive Assistant: “Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99 -- If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.”
Heather Draper, Media and Communications Manager: “Why is it always the people who shouldn’t go topless are the ones who always do?” H, that’s not really a tip…
(Note from Heather, who posts the blog: "OK, I meant to say: Keep your clothes on.")
Amy Drayer, PrideFest Guru: “Please don't spray paint your thong gold. Alternatively, please don't wear a thong."
Rahn Andersen, Volunteer Coordinator: “Laugh/smile…that could be you.”
Deb Pollock, Development Director: "Hydrate. Drink one water for every other drink you're having."
A unanimous response from the Rainbow Alley Youth: “Keep it clean, queer and under control.”
Be safe and have fun. I’ll see you all in the park. - jg