On Sunday, June 8, the usually quiet charm of Carnation’s Tolt Commons was transformed into a dazzling celebration of unity, creativity, and love as Snovalley Pride welcomed over 750 attendees to their third annual Pride Picnic. With the sun beaming and temperatures reaching into the mid-90s, the heat couldn’t keep the joy away—families, friends, and neighbors gathered in a powerful show of support for Snoqualmie Valley’s 2SLGBTQ+ community.

The afternoon was filled with heart and harmony, featuring phenomenal live performances by Stephanie Anne Johnson, Brittany Davis, Elizabeth Hill and the Valley Folk, and Xander Corbett. Thanks to the generosity of Carnation Café and Remlinger Farms, guests enjoyed a delicious free lunch, while 13 local organizations hosted interactive art booths offering everything from rainbow wind chimes to candle dipping and ceramics.

A highlight of the day was the official launch of “Uni’s Quest for Kindness,” a children’s book written and illustrated by Snovalley Pride’s Founder and Executive Director, Gregory Jamiel. The book, which shares a message about compassion and kindness to each other and the land we live on, completely sold out its first run and will soon be restocked due to overwhelming demand.

The event was made possible thanks to the incredible support of sponsors including STG (Seattle Theatre Group), the Rotary Club of Duvall, the City of Carnation, Ladie AuPair, Tolt Records, Fall City Arts, and Snoqualmie Valley Health.

Enormous gratitude goes to the organizations that made the art booths possible: A Supportive Community For All, Black Dog Arts Café, Carnation Farmers Market, Fall City Arts, Empower Youth Network, June and Gem Ceramics Studio, King County Libraries (Carnation and Duvall), Lee Arts Foundation, Lore Counseling and Art Therapy, Mosaic Montessori, North Bend Art & Industry, Rooster Haus Rescue, Snovalley Pride’s Teen Circle, and Treehouse Point.

Other attractions included free goat cuddles from Katsiki Goat Petting Zoo, a whimsical floral “campfire” by Brazen’s Blooms, on-the-spot tee shirt printing with Camp Makae, and support services from Snoqualmie Valley Hospital and Diversity Alliance of the Puget Sound, who helped ensure the event was both joyful and safe.

If you missed this heartwarming day, there are still chances to connect with Snovalley Pride this summer. Don your neon and shoulder pads for their ‘80s Fierce Summer Drag Show on Monday, June 16, at Sigillo Cellars in Snoqualmie, or bring a blanket for a free Community Movie Night at Tolt Commons on Friday, June 21,, featuring ‘”The Greatest Showman,” s’mores by the Kindness Campfire, and live music thanks to STG. The Snoqualmie Valley showed up in full color — and the love just keeps growing.

For more information about upcoming events, visit snovalleypride.org.

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo