Wānaka’s inaugural Pride Street Party was better than organisers hoped for with a strong community turnout at Saturday’s (September 9) event.

The celebration at the Lake Wānaka Centre featured everything from live music and DJs to spoken word and poetry, a craft market, food and beverage stalls, a ‘living library’, and an information market with LGBTQI+ resources.  

“This is better than I envisioned it,” event spokesperson Ollie Harcus said. 

“The community have really come together both from a rainbow perspective and our allies, so it has been absolutely amazing.”

Ollie is a founding member of Out and About Wānaka, a burgeoning group of LGBTQI+ locals and allies.

He said the idea for the pride event came from a desire to support local rainbow youth. It quickly picked up steam with a range of community groups supporting the initiative.

“Our agencies, St John, FENZ and the police have all really stepped up and gone, you know what, we want to be a part of it,” Ollie said.

A range of community groups supported the event.

Ollie said the event was about bringing people together and removing any negativity around the rainbow community.

A stage at the entrance to the Lake Wānaka Centre became the focal point with drag queens among the light-hearted entertainment provided.

“It was incredible to see the love from the community and you know, just bring that negativity down and go, do you know what, that was an epic day. These are some epic people.”

Money raised from a raffle and silent auction on the day will provide financial assistance to support Kahu Youth and Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College’s rainbow programmes.

In addition to the Pride Street Party, Out and About has longer-term goals to become a charitable trust that supports the local LGBTQI+ community, Ollie said.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App