Hundreds attend PrideFest 2025 at Hi-Wire brewing
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hi-Wire Brewing in Wilmington hosted their annual PrideFest celebration on Sunday.
The event featured a vendors market, DJ, live drag performances, and more. Hundreds showed up to the event that’s now in its fifth year.
One of those in attendance was New Hanover County School Board Member Tim Merrick.
Merrick says representation for the LGBTQ community is important
“As an elected official, I think it’s extremely important to be here and to show that we care, that we accept, an that everyone is welcome in our county and in our schools,” he said.
PrideFest also serves as a way for those in the queer community to connect with others.
The Cape Fear Women’s Rugby Club was there to recruit new athletes.
“Rugby is a very welcoming community, and we want trans athletes to know they are welcome in these spaces,” Genie Mason said.
The event also hosted several area nonprofits.
HIV advocacy group Seeds of Healing was there offering free STD testing, clinical therapy, and same-day PrEP consultation.
PrEP is a type of medication that can prevent HIV transmission.
“We want to be accessible. We want to be here and let people know that we are a part of the community, we are allies, and we’re here. Like, we want to support people,” Christopher Marville explained.
Another group attending was the Equal Rights Amendment NC Alliance—a collection of several organizations that fights for equal rights, both in the courts, and at the General Assembly.
Marla Barthen notes that fight continues well beyond June 31.
“The work that we do is slow and steady, day by day. It’s not just for one month, or one day during pride. It’s all year-round,” she said.
For other pride events happening this month, you can view a list published by the Wilmington Star News here.
