Drag kicks off Rainbowatonna Pride
Drag performer “Robin Heels Honey” smiles as she’s handed a dollar bill by a supportive fan. Honey and other performers took the stage at the Elks Lodge in Owatonna last Friday. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
The 2024 Rainbowatonna Drag Show took place at the Owatonna Elks Lodge last Friday, kicking off another weekend of celebrating pride in Steele County.
The show was the town’s second annual event hosted in consecutive years.
“We’re thrilled. This community is incredibly supportive. Last year, we had so much support and it’s been just the same this year. This event is the culmination of a lot of hard work, and it’s been a lot of fun,” said Nathan Black of Rainbowatonna.
Five performers from “A King & A Queen” hit a packed showroom and tested the strength of the venue’s speakers with loud music ranging from the ‘80s to the present day, all while attendees danced and supported the cast with dollar bills.
Inside the venue, smiles were plentiful, while outside the Elks Lodge a protest against the show had begun.
“I think it’s important for the nay-sayers to be so visible. I don’t mind that they’re there because it brings home the reality of what queer people actually live with. It shows the reality that some people are forced to live in the closet and hide who they are from their families – especially at their churches. For the community to see how ugly, loud and nasty the opposition is, it makes people realize, ‘Oh, this is a real deal, and it does happen in our community. Maybe we have to do more to support,’” said Black.
The show went start to finish with smiles all around.
A room filled with multiple generations of people came together in unison to start the weekend off before Saturday’s Pride in the Park.
According to Black, the event was a major hit, and the hope is that the drag show will be back in 2025.