Celebrate Diversity In Downtown Lafayette, Ind.

Online, July 30, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Lafayette hosts an end of the summer celebration of diversity for all. This year OUTfest is on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 4:00 p.m. to midnight on Main St.

OUTfest, sponsored in part by The Word, is a lively, family-friendly street festival celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex community (LGBTI), and our families, friends, and allies. OUTfest, hosted by Pride Lafayette Community Center, aims to increase public awareness of the LGBTI community in Lafayette and beyond, bring attention to LGBTI issues, provide resources, and celebrate diversity.

OUTfest marks its fourth year with free admission, a family area until 8:00 p.m., live bands, DJs, food, beer gardens, dancing, informational booths, vendors with jewelry, clothes, books, and crafts, extended hours for downtown businesses, and an end-of-the-evening, light-hearted drag show.

"It's pretty incredible to see the immense turn out and support from all walks of life for our little city's pride day," said Alex Pollack of Lafayette, Ind. "From gay, straight, and families of all ages, you will find it here. That's a pretty good feeling!"

Vendors can can feel good knowing they are showing their pride of diversity by taking part in the event. The 2011 list includes restaurants, crafts-makers, family-friendly organizations, churches, and LGBTI groups and resources.

"The Almost Home Humane Society appreciates the opportunity to be a part of OUTfest each year and have been since the first year," said Michelle Warren, executive director. "It allows our animals the chance to be seen and possibly adopted by hundreds of people who might not otherwise see them or visit the shelter. The fun, family-friendly environment that OUTfest provides is a great venue for our organization to raise awareness for the homeless animals at AHHS."

In addition to Almost Home Humane Society, other Family Area vendors include Columbian Park Zoo, Civic Theater of Greater Lafayette, Tippecanoe Arts Federation, New Community School, Wildcat Wild Life Center, Imagination Station, and Wolf Park. Visit the family area 4:00-8:00 p.m.

"This is an important event for my family," said Jesse McCallister, a recent Lafayette Jefferson High School graduate and the son of lesbians. "It's important that Lafayette shows that it's proud of its diversity"

Bring your friends and family to OUTfest. Make new friends. Enjoy delicious food. Buy a new treasure. Listen to great music. Whatever you do, don't miss it! OUTfest is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the range of differences among us and the multitude of ways we are all the same.

Related website: www.pridelafayette.org/OUTfest2011
Related Facebook page: Search "OUTfest 2011 in Lafayette, Indiana"

**Please note: Service animals only**