BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — For the first time ever, a Pride festival is coming to Broken Arrow.

Organizers Makenzie Schneider and Penny Nelson said the idea came to them one day.

“It’s something that needed to be done, because Tulsa is doing it. Owasso is doing it. Why not BA?” said Schneider.

Nelson says the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and both didn’t realize how big the LGBTQ+ community is in Broken Arrow. “It seems to be bigger than I’ve realized, with all the people who have reached out. So I do think we have a bigger group than we realized,” said Nelson.

Schneider said the City approved the permits quickly, just one day after submitting the request.

Nelson says the point of having a Pride event in Broken Arrow is to have inclusion for all.

“They should feel the acceptance here. They don’t need to go to Tulsa to feel that they have family. They have acceptance here,” said Nelson.

She says it will become an annual event.

“We hope it’s our first and definitely not our last,” said Nelson.

Pride is scheduled for Aug. 13 at Events Park. There is a meeting this Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Broken Arrow Brewery to discuss ideas. It’s open to the public.

If you’re interested in becoming a vendor or sponsor, you can visit the Pride in BA page on Facebook.

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