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Rainbows Over Carytown

Hadley Chittum | July 3, 2019

Topics: AlterNatives, Carytown, Carytown Pride Parade, Diversity Richmond, LGBTQ Pride Month, Pride Month, Tara Byte

The first-ever Carytown Pride Parade brightened up the last weekend of Pride Month with the sights, sounds, and colors of Pride.

Dogs, babies, families, drag queens, and many more came out to celebrate the last weekend of Pride month at the first-ever Carytown Pride Parade on Saturday. 

The event, hosted by AlterNatives boutique, started with a parade where participants marched down the sidewalks of Cary Street sporting rainbow outfits, facepaint, and flags. 

“We wanted to show our support [to the LGBTQ community] and join in the Pride month festivities,” said AlterNatives’ manager Tiffany Refazo, explaining the inspiration behind the parade. 

Attendees visited vendors’ tables at the parade after-party. Photo by Hadley Chittum.

According to Refazo, event organizers were very impressed with the turnout, boasting approximately 200 participants despite temperatures being in the nineties. 

The parade after-party in the AlterNatives backyard featured booths from organizations like Diversity Richmond and free HIV and STD testing by Nationz Foundation. Attendees made bracelets or had their face painted while watching a drag performance by local Richmond performers. 

Valerie and Teresa McCall, a couple originally from New York City, particularly loved the drag show. “It reminded us of being back in New York,” said Valerie. 

Drag queen Millennium C. Snow performs onstage, wrapping up the first-ever Carytown Pride Parade. Photo by Hadley Chittum.

Though the parade and party was hosted by AlterNatives, other Carytown businesses including Mongrel, Chop Suey, Ladles and Linens, Bombshell, Lex’s, and Sugar and Twine contributed to the Pride celebration by raising money to donate to Diversity Richmond. 

This year’s parade was the first of its kind, but Carytown businesses are planning to continue the tradition with more Pride events next year.

“This year was a learning experience but we are definitely planning on hosting this next year — maybe even at a bigger location,” Refazo said.

Drag queen Millennium C. Snow speaks with AlterNatives store manager Tiffany Refazo before the Carytown Pride Parade. Photo by Hadley Chittum.
Miranda Waddy gets a rainbow flag painted on her arm before walking in the parade. Photo by Hadley Chittum.
Summer Aranda walks down Cary Street with a trans pride flag in honor of her transgender daughter. Photo by Hadley Chittum.
Two participants decked out in flags walk and talk during the parade. Photo by Hadley Chittum.
Customers have a meal in New York Deli while marchers are seen in the reflection of the window. Photo by Hadley Chittum.
A participant waves a bisexual pride flag. Photo by Hadley Chittum.
Marchers wrote messages of support for the LGBTQ community on a banner outside AlterNatives. Photo by Hadley Chittum.
The alley connecting Cary Street to the AlterNatives backyard after-party was decorated with rainbow streamers and flowers. Photo by Hadley Chittum.
Drag queens get changed between performances inside AlterNatives. Photo by Hadley Chittum.
Participants cooled off from the heat inside the rainbow-decorated AlterNatives store. Photo by Hadley Chittum.

Top Photo: Participants walked from AlterNatives boutique down to Arthur Ashe Boulevard for the parade; by Hadley Chittum.

2014 RVA Fashion Week Shows Off The Talent & Diversity Of Local Fashion Scene

Marilyn Drew Necci | May 27, 2014

Topics: AlterNatives, Asa Jackson, Ashby, C & C Sandbox, Carytown Boutiques, Chilalay, Child Rebel, Clementine, Earl Mack, Fab'rik, Glass Boat, Glave Kocen Gallery, Isley Brewing Company, Jasmine Justice, Misha Nonoo, New Normal Apparel, Rec League, Rumors, RVA Fashion Week, Ten Thousand Villages, The Broadberry, The Gallery At UNOS, The National

RVA Fashion Week, founded in 2008 and launched in 2009, reached new heights in its 6th Annual Showcase, which took place between April 27 and May 4 of this year. Richmond fashion lovers experienced a week long presentation of the diverse fashions of local retailers, the culture of the Richmond fashion scene, and the brilliant designs of up and coming local designers.
[Read more…] about 2014 RVA Fashion Week Shows Off The Talent & Diversity Of Local Fashion Scene

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