Hope, Humor, and Hairspray: PrideFest Day 6 Begins with Bold Defiance

Community leaders and drag performers rally the crowd as calls for resistance against Project Garrison gain momentum.

By Jax Rowe

DOMINION — June 28, 2025 | 9:45 AM — Despite a heavy political backdrop and rising tensions from Washington, PrideFest Day 6 opened with a renewed sense of energy, humor, and grassroots power. The morning began with a burst of music, glitter, and unapologetic joy as crowds swelled through the festival gates. But beneath the surface, a more strategic current was flowing.

As early attendees grabbed coffee from donation-based booths and browsed the community-led artisan market, signs reading “NO TO PROJECT GARRISON” and “PROTECT PRIDE” dotted the lawn beside the main stage. Volunteers passed out leaflets breaking down the leaked components of President Trask’s anti-Pride strategy — a now-infamous initiative dubbed Project Garrison.

The reaction has been swift and furious. “They think they can outmaneuver us with paperwork and press releases,” said organizer Camila Lonsdale. “But they forgot that we know how to fight beautifully — and with better outfits.”

At 10:15 AM, Representative Joshua Lane Mercer returned to the main stage alongside several of his colleagues. Mercer praised the community’s bravery and confirmed that additional whistleblowers have begun stepping forward. “They underestimated how loud we’d get once they came for our joy,” he told the crowd.

The most buzz, however, came from the drag community. Whispers and winks hinted at an elaborate plan brewing behind the scenes. “Let’s just say the wigs are bigger today for a reason,” quipped beloved queen Tati Devine, fanning herself while rallying a cluster of festivalgoers near the family picnic zone. “And not just because of the heat.”

Rumors suggest that several drag performers — many of whom were seen speaking to Mercer late Friday night — have volunteered to spearhead acts of “creative resistance” that will unfold throughout the afternoon.

As of noon, the food pantry remained well-stocked, and the on-site free clinic reported record turnout. “We’ve given 47 blood pressure checks, 12 wound treatments, and one urgent referral — and not a single person has paid a dime,” said nurse practitioner Eli Mendoza.

By late morning, the tone of Day 6 had crystallized: joyful, defiant, and strategic. While the threat of Project Garrison looms, Dominion’s citizens — wigs high and heads held higher — appear ready for whatever comes next.