Balancing Passion and Practicality: A Reflection on Summer Pride Fest

Last Saturday's Summer Pride Fest was a fantastic day, filled with good vibes, a gentle breeze, and a wonderful sense of community. The turnout for this first-time event was great, and it was a joy to be there. The DJ was so fun and I’m glad there was good music! The shorter hours, from 2 to 5 PM, were a welcome change from some of the longer, more exhausting show days.

As I reflect on the event, I'm filled with gratitude for the chance to support such an important cause. In fact, I was happy to donate one of my handmade cups for their raffle! It felt good to contribute in that way. However, a question keeps coming up that many of you might share: How do we balance our passion for a cause with the need to run a sustainable business?

For many small business owners and artists, the booth fee for an event like this is a significant expense. It’s hard not to see it as a donation to a cause you believe in, especially when sales are slow. Every artist knows the struggle of putting in countless hours creating products, setting up a booth, and being present all day, only to barely cover the cost of the event. It’s a definite grind.

This reality has me thinking hard about next year. I truly want to continue supporting our community and events like Pride Fest. It’s an incredible feeling to be part of something so meaningful. But I also need to be realistic about what my business can handle. It’s a delicate balance between giving back and making a living.

Perhaps next year, instead of setting up a full booth, I can focus on donating some of my pottery pieces directly. Maybe there are other avenues for support that would allow me to contribute without the full commitment of an event. It’s a challenge to figure out which avenues are the right fit, but it’s a necessary part of the journey to ensure I can continue creating and, yes, continue supporting the causes I believe in.

Thank you again to everyone who made the first Summer Pride Fest a success. Your support for local artists and the LGBTQ+ community is what makes these events so special.