Sonoma County Pride at the Fair

🌈 Celebrate Sonoma County Pride at the Fair
Saturday, August 3 | Noon – 9 PM
Entertainment Zone at the Grandstand

Join us for a full day of celebration, history, entertainment, and community at Sonoma County Pride at the Fair! From inspiring exhibits to vibrant live performances, this event highlights the people, movements, and moments that have shaped the LGBTQIA+ experience in Sonoma County. Explore the stories of our past, meet local changemakers, support LGBTQIA+ businesses, and dance the day away with an incredible lineup of performers. Whether you're part of the community or an ally, there's something for everyone. Come show your pride, make new memories, and celebrate love in all its forms — only at the Sonoma County Fair!

"Knowing Our LGBTQIA+ History Illuminatesthe Path to Our Future"

North Bay LGBTQIA+ Timeline
Take a journey through time and discover how Sonoma County became a beacon for LGBTQIA+ culture, activism, and community. From the 1970s through the 1990s, our region blossomed with bold movements, safe spaces, and pioneering leaders whose stories continue to shape our lives today. Did you know?

  • In the 1960s, Guerneville was home to one of the region’s first gay and lesbian bars.
  • In the mid-1970s, a lesbian trucking team operated an 18-wheeler as part of the Red Clover Workers Brigade in Santa Rosa.
  • By the late 1970s, gay men from across the country were flocking to the Russian River.
  • The AIDS epidemic taught our community to care with deep compassion and resilience.
  • The global Intersex Movement traces its origins right here in Sonoma County.

This year’s timeline installation highlights the transformative decades of 1970 through 1990. Explore powerful images and stories that bring our shared history to life.

📸 Have a photo, memory, or story to share? Help keep our community’s legacy alive — email us!

🏳️‍🌈 Community Features
LGBTQIA+ Marketplace ~ 4–7 PM

Support
and shop local LGBTQIA+ vendors offering everything from art and apparel to advocacy
resources.

4:00 PM – DJ Em Bass
🎶 Live Entertainment Schedule

From disco to deep house, DJ Em Bass brings energy and joy to every set. Known
for seamlessly blending beats and building dancefloor magic, Em Bass sets the
tone for an unforgettable Pride celebration.

Drag Performance by Adriana - 6:00 PM

Fierce, fabulous, and full of attitude — Adriana is a rising star in the local drag scene. With high-energy performances and unforgettable looks, she lights up every stage she steps on.

Maiah Wynne - 7:00 PM

Award-winning singer-songwriter Maiah Wynne blends cinematic folk-pop with emotional depth. With performances at NPR’s Tiny Desk, SXSW, and Sundance, her haunting vocals and messages of healing and resilience have touched audiences worldwide.



Ellie James - 8:00 PM

With a rock ’n’ roll edge and indie-pop soul, Ellie James delivers electrifying performances filled with emotion and originality. Fresh off opening for Colbie Caillat and playing nearly sold-out shows across California, Ellie brings her bold sound and storytelling to Pride Night at the Fair.

DJ Em Bass Returns - 9:00 PM

Close out the night with a high-energy final dance party as DJ Em Bass returns to the stage! Grab your friends, hit the floor, and dance the night away as we celebrate the end of an incredible Pride Day at the Fair.

Sonoma County Pride at the Fair

🗃️ Organizations

Lesbian Archives of Sonoma County
A grassroots oral history project documenting local lesbian lives and activism from 1965–1995. Founded in 2007, the archive features personal narratives, flyers, photographs, and memorabilia. In 2024, the project’s founders were honored by the Sonoma County Historical Records Commission for their vital work in preserving lesbian history.

Legacy LGBTQIA+ Archives

Russian River Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
The River’s very own nuns! This 21st-century order spreads joy, raises funds for local causes, and promotes safer sex education and community building throughout the Russian River area.

Free Mom Hugs
Founded by Sara Cunningham, this nonprofit movement offers hugs, visibility, and love to LGBTQIA+ individuals who may lack support from their biological families. Volunteers include parents, allies, and chosen family showing up with open arms.

Amor Para Todos (APT)
"Love for All" — APT is a Petaluma-based nonprofit working to create affirming spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth through education, early intervention, and mental health advocacy.

Celebrate Love – Rohnert Park / Cotati Pride
A grassroots visibility effort in the "Friendly City" and the "City with a Heart," Celebrate Love builds community and celebrates LGBTQIA+ pride at the local level.

Sonoma County Pride
The region’s leading LGBTQIA+ nonprofit, Sonoma County Pride produces year-round events that foster visibility, belonging, and advocacy — including the annual Pride Parade and Festival.

Chick Happy Hour
A monthly social meetup for queer women and allies, rotating across venues in Sonoma County. Chick Happy Hour creates relaxed, inclusive spaces for connection and celebration.

Professionals With Pride
Sonoma County’s official LGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce. Professionals With Pride supports queer-owned businesses and professionals with networking events, mentorship, and advocacy — including waived certification fees and signature events like the Groundbreakers Soirée.