Pride has been celebrated for decades in Fort Wayne, but the celebration we know and love today began in 1997 at Friemann Square. From there venues changed from Follinger Theater to Lawton Park to the West Side of Headwater's to our current home of the East Side festival plaza. Throughout the years our crowds have grown from 100 to over 5,000 with 60 vendor booths and a two day event. One thing has remained the same and that is Pride's commitment to bringing safe, fun events to the GLBT community and our straight allies. None of this would be possible if it wasn't for our committee of volunteers.
Fort Wayne Pride Committee text.
Director- Nikki Fultz- This is Nikki's 12th Pride to put together. She enjoys the entertainment as well as the growth each year. Nikki and her wife are both teachers and have three 16 year old foster daughters, two dogs, and are expecting a baby boy this spring. Nikki will be finishing her Master's in Nonprofit Management in March, to help further the growth of Pride. nikki@fwpride.org
Events Coordinator; Treasurer- Chad Pratt aka Paige Turner- This is Chad's 10th year on the committee. He is in charge of our fundraising events as well as Saturday's drag show.
Volunteer Coordinator; Secretary- Kenny Edholm-Reid- This is Kenny's 5th year on the committee. Kenny enjoys spending time with his husband, hanging out with his friends, his two Great Danes and cat. Kenny likes being on the Pride committee because he feels he is contributing to the causes that are important to our community. He feels Pride is a good way to have an impact on bringing the community together. volunteer@fwpride.org
Derek Roberts- Derek has been on the committee for 4 years.
Vendor Coordinator- Lonnie Lewark- Lonnie served on the Pride committee for three years before taking a break. Now he has returned as our vendor coordinator.
March Coordinator- Carrie Johanningsmeier- This is Carrie's 1st year on the committee. She is a co-coordinator for our first march through downtown which will take place Julyl 28th.
March Coordinator- Wesley Haffenden- This is Wesley's 1st year on the committee. He is a co-coordinator for our first march through downtown which will take place Julyl 28th.
Mari Love- This is Mari's first year on the committee. She is the director of the IPFW GLBT Resource Center and excited about becoming involved with Pride.
Derin Kyle- This is Derin's first year on the committee. He has been a volunteer for the past several years and looks forward to being a part of the committee this year.
