Graphics by Kisira Hill
Legendary queer dance party Slo ‘Mo & South Loop children’s boutique Kido are collaborating on a day of Pride fun in the sun for all ages. Taking place at the outdoor Fairgrounds of the Salt Shed music venue June 17 from 10AM-4PM CST, The Queer Fam Pride Jam is a free, all ages, family-friendly Pride celebration that will feature entertainment, activities and a local food & retail marketplace.
The day will feature family yoga, sing-a-long, a live all-female Mariachi band performance, a skateboard park pop-up facilitated by Natty Bwoy Bikes & Boards, drag makeovers & performances and house music dance lessons by legendary choreographer Boogie McClarin. The festival will culminate with the legendary Slo ‘Mo dance party, featuring its signature sound of R&B, house & disco. Attendees can also peruse the food & maker market, chill at the lululemon “Oasis” cooling tent featuring complimentary Seedlip mocktails and enjoy a cash bar by the Salt Shed for adult beverages. Sign up for yoga at 10:30AM here and see the full schedule in the graphic below. Limited mats will be provided by lululemon; BYOM recommended.
This event is taking place at the Salt Shed Fairgrounds, the large outdoor space adjacent to the venue that is on flat concrete ground. All of the food & retail vendors, activities and performances will take place outside. All-gender restrooms are accessible inside the venue building and include a baby changing station. We will have greeters upon festival entrance that can help guide you and answer any questions. See the FAQ below for more information about the event.
This event is made possible with the support of our generous partners: The Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, lululemon, Vacation Inc, Bronzeville Orthodontics, Sitter City and the Salt Shed
Follow @slomoparty and @kidochicago for the latest updates about the Pride Jam and beyond!
A note from the organizers: We are so excited to welcome you to the inaugural Queer Fam Pride Jam! Please note that we are a team of two moms + one part time staff person undertaking a major festival at a very new venue that is still evolving. We are also navigating a hostile climate toward LGBTQ+ families and their supporters and are giving as much consideration as within our power to safety. We ask for your grace, patience and appreciation as we do not have major funding and full-time staff support and are doing the best we can to make this a fun, safe and supportive event with the capacity and resources we have. Reach out to slomoparty@gmail.com with any additional questions and we will do our best to answer them, but empower you to make the best decisions for you and your families with the information provided. - Kristen and Keewa
FAQ:
PARKING/DRIVING: Street parking is available on Magnolia street first come, first served and valet parking is available for a $20, which can be booked online in advance. There are unaffiliated paid lots about half a mile from the venue you can find via SpotHero as well. Please note that parking may require some walking. We do not have control over parking.
BIKING: There will be ample bike parking available on-site and near the main entrance on Blackhawk street as well as stroller parking inside the festival grounds
RIDESHARE: Salt Shed will have a designated area for rideshare pick-ups and drop offs, along Magnolia Ave right near venue entry. You will see a pull-in area adjacent to the street
PUBLIC TRANSIT: Division/Milwaukee blue line stop is .7 miles away.. North/Clybourn red line stop is .9 miles away. Damen blue line stop is 1.4 miles away. Several buses make stops near The Salt Shed, including the 70 (Division), 72 (North), and 9 (Ashland). There may be other options depending on your location.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY: The Salt Shed venue and Fairgrounds are wheelchair accessible. There is ADA seating available within the festival grounds as well. The Fairgrounds are accessed off Blackhawk street by a very wide, flat entrance
SEATING, SHADE & HYDRATION: There are picnic tables with umbrellas first come first served in the food court area outside, as well as some folding chairs and bleacher seating that should only be used by minors with the accompaniment of an adult. There is a free water station and BYO water bottles are encouraged. Please keep in mind this is an outdoor event in the sun and pack hats, sunscreen, snacks and anything else you might need.
BATHROOMS & CHANGING: Bathrooms are located within the venue and there is a changing table for babies. Adults with babies can also utilize the “crawlie corner” space we have designated under the shade (balcony overhead) located next to the bar adjacent to the venue
SECURITY: Salt Shed contracts private security who will be covering the festival grounds outside the Fairgrounds and within it. There will not be bag checks or metal detectors for this event.
SOUND/LIGHTS: There will be amplified sound throughout the day in speakers that surround the Fairgrounds, but at lower decibels than you’d expect at a concert as this is a kid-inclusive event. Because this is a daytime event there will not be special lighting, fog machines or flashing lights.
PHOTOGRAPHY/FILMING NOTICE:
By entering the “Queer Fam Pride Jam” at the Fairgrounds, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by Queer Fam Pride Jam producers (Kido & Slo ‘Mo) and its affiliates. You release the Pride Jam producers, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings.