The Eureka Springs Diversity Weekend is back after going dark for two years due to the pandemic.
“Everyone is excited to get back to normalcy after two long years,” Jay Wilks, director of Out in Eureka, said. “There has been a huge response to Spring Diversity 2022 and to Miss Coco Peru’s show.”
Wilks has been involved with Out in Eureka since May 2017 after Spring Diversity 2017 had sparse attendance and the only event was a Public Display of Affection at Basin Park.
“I met with several business owners and community members after 2017 and we all decided to reboot diversity and I was asked to head up Out in Eureka,” Wilks said. “All of the venues are bringing in some great entertainment. There will be a lot to do during the weekend for everyone.”
Besides bringing a fun event to town, there is a major economic impact for tourist lodging, retail, restaurant and bar sales. During each Diversity in the Park event, they take surveys and use collected information to compile a list of rooms night. Visitors are also asked how they heard about Diversity Weekend.
“I then present the information to the City Advertising and Promotion Committee so they will see the numbers,” Wilks said. “I wish we could get everyone to do a survey. This spring there are thirty-five businesses, including Turpentine Creek, participating in the wristband discounts shopping program. It can be a big weekend, but I don’t like to make predictions. A lot is like every other event – weather impacts, economic issues, and we still have Covid hanging around, which could keep some at home.”
Surveys show there are visitors from Northwest Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri, but they have also had travelers from California, Florida, Oregon, Indiana, New York, Washington D.C., and Canada.
“When asked about where they heard about Eureka Springs Diversity, they say, friends, Facebook, or they read an article about Diversity weekends,” Wilks said. “Out in Eureka and the diversity weekends have been mentioned in several large LGBTQ+ magazines, travel magazines, newspapers and TV media across the country.”
All of the official Out in Eureka events are coming back:
- Meet and Greets at Brews from 5 – 7 p.m. and at Missy’s White Rabbit lounge from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 1.
- Diversity in the Park is back on Saturday, April 2, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with D.J. Testube kicking off the event with his Disco Bubble dance party. The guest speaker at noon is Laura Bell Phillips from Fayetteville. Pride leis will be passed out by the Eureka Chapter of Free Mom Hugs, followed by the PDA. Award winning musicians Ginger Doss and Lynda Millard will take to the stage, followed by a drag show hosted by Miss Gay Oklahoma America 2022, Gizele Monae. The Official Drag Queen bingo is back at Brews on Saturday from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Miss Coco Peru returns to Eureka Springs after having been cancelled twice due to the pandemic. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the show starting at 8:30 at the Auditorium. Wilks said all events that Out in Eureka puts on are family friendly, including Drag Queen Bingo, and all are free with the exception of Coco Peru’s show, which families can attend.
Other events scheduled Diversity Weekend include a Friends of Dorothy and Martha P. Johnson Meet and Greet at the Gravel Bar at the Wanderoo Lodge from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday. There will be Patti’s DiverCITY Drag Brunch at the Gravel Bar starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. All tips go to a local charity.
Gotahold Brewery will have a Coffee, Hike and Beers event starting at 10 a.m. Modern August takes the stage at 6 p.m.
Eureka Live will sponsor a Drag Show Friday and Saturday starting at 9 p.m.
Spring Diversity 2022 is dedicated to the life and spirit of Steve “Yip” Vorbeck, 1951-2022