TKC BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE NEWS!!! KANSAS CITY PRIDE FEST AFTERMATH INTERVIEW: MASE HAKES STAYS WINNING!!!

Like it or not, Kansas City Pride Fest was the most politically charged and controversial event of the year so far.

Recently, we were lucky enough to talk with Kansas City Diversity Coalition Chairman Mase Hakes about the challenges he faced organizing the street fare.

Here are the highlights . . .

- Conservatively, organizers estimate the crowd was at least 6-8k strong on both nights.

- The KCDC reports revenue of around 23K for each night and THEY RAISED $50K TOTAL!!!

- The stage was comprised of COMPLETELY LOCAL acts and offered a venue for more than 2 dozen Kansas City area performers.

Previously, a point of contention had been the Like Me Lighthouse and a conflict with another event scheduled for the same time. Mr. Hakes tells us that a portion of the proceeds from this event will also fund the LGBT community center as well.



As we reported previously, there was a great deal of conflict surrounding this beloved LGBT party but organizers seems satisfied that their "back to basics" format met with success.

"We are so grateful for how event turned out and it's a credit to Kansas City's LGBT Community who came out in strong numbers to support us," Mase Hakes said. "This was nothing less than a community effort and we wouldn't have been able to have our Pride Fest this year if so many people hadn't stepped up and offered to help."

Mr. Hakes seemed to acknowledge Internets criticism for just a moment:

 "Going online and complaining is one thing, but the people who showed up, rolled up their sleeves and said: 'What can I do to help?' Those are the folks who deserve the credit for the success of this event."

Pride Fest hosted Kansas City Mayor Sly James seen here with Mase Hakes:



Still, criticism over planning and media presence resonated enough with Mr. Hakes to give him a moment of pause.

"I completely agree with some of the complaints about planning. We had only a matter of months to organize and put everything into place," Mase Hakes said. "We definitely have room for improvement and we've already started to make some changes."

Accordingly, Mase Hakes and the KCDC are already working to plan next year's event.



As for any hard feelings that might linger, Make Hakes tells us:

"I've realized that any event in Kansas City, even among the LGBT Community is VERY POLITICAL - To an extent that I hadn't fully considered previously. Still, at the end of the weekend we were able to have our event and provide a family-friendly venue where members of our community could congregate."

Make Hakes has a few interesting projects up his sleeve and we'll continue to follow the adventures of Kansas City's Diverity Coalition in the future.

DEVELOPING . . .