BE THE RAINBOW

Here’s our full-day schedule of fun for our Be the Rainbow event on Saturday, June 10, 2023!

• 9:30 am – Rainbow Pet Parade co-hosted by Tails at the Barkery: Start at the Gazebo and walk through the village with your colorfully adorned pet! …you should probably dress up, right? Swing by Tails at the Barkery (a totally pooch-loving co-host for this event) with your lovely doggies! There will be best-dressed awards!

• 11 am – Pulse Remembrance and Moment of Silence: June 12th marks the 7th anniversary of the Pulse shooting. In honor of those we lost, survivors, those who lost someone close to them, and all who were impacted, we hold a short ceremony with a moment of silence.

• 11:10 am – Story Time: A community member will read a book or two in the Myrt Tharpe Square gazebo!

• Special guest Eric Rosswood, award-winning author of “Strong” (winner of the Stonewall Honor Award) and author of additional books, including:

  • ​”Journey to Parenthood: Ultimate Guide for Same-Sex Couples”

  • “We Make it Better: The LGBTQ Community and Their Positive Contributions to Society”

  • “The Ultimate Guide for Gay Dads: Everything You Need to Know About LGBTQ Parenting But Are (Mostly) Afraid to Ask”

• 11-2:30 pm – Be the Rainbow Sticker Scavenger Hunt! Get your map at hello again books (or digitally!) and explore the village! Collect a sticker from each of the participating stores identified on the map. Feel free to wear your stickers or keep them for later… have fun and collect them all!

• 2:30 pm – Raffle Drawing: We’ll draw the winners of the FABULOUS GIFT BASKET RAFFLE at hello again books

• 3 pm: Bike parade, co-hosted by The Village Cycle Shoppe: Bike riders will loop around the waterfront park 2-3 times, with awards for best bike and rider decorations presented after the ride.

• 3:30 pm – Bike Parade Awards & Closing Ceremony for Be the Rainbow! Join us as The Village Cycle Shoppe hands out awards in the outdoor area at The Village Idiot! Enjoy music and comradery as we wrap up a great Be the Rainbow 2023!

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This event is for EVERYONE! Friends, families, kids, adults, seniors, allies… EVERYONE!

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Please enjoy the Rainbow Marketplace in Myrt Tharpe Square throughout the day! Meet businesses, organizations, and individuals here to share their work, art, and products! See info below about being a vendor in the Rainbow Marketplace!

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Want to be a vendor on Saturday, June 10? For $20, we’re providing businesses, local organizations, and crafters a vendor space in Myrt Tharpe Square – the gazebo area in Cocoa Village.

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• Marketplace vendors can bring a standard four or 6-foot-long folding table

• No tents since the square requires visibility to the gazebo throughout the day, but there are trees (nature’s shade), and we’ll try to provide a little extra cover where we can!

• Be set up by 9 am to take advantage of the day’s activities and secure greater engagement within the community!

• Vendors are asked to stay until 2 pm, but they can stay longer if they choose!

• Space is limited – let us know by May 20, 2023, if you would like to be a Marketplace vendor

  • How do you tell us you want to be included in the Rainbow Marketplace? Email helloagainbooks@gmail.com with the following information:

    • Your name, phone number, a couple of photos of what you’ll be selling that we can share on social, and your social handles (mainly FB & IG)

    • $20 to be paid on June 10 – cash requested, please! Receipts can be provided if necessary.

• Vendors will be highlighted in dedicated hello again books and social media posts.

• Please note: Vendors selected for this space are primarily for LGBTQ+ support groups, events, and organizations that support the community. If we have space left for additional merchant vendors, we will reach out in the order in which we have received requests and will be selected at the discretion of the event hosts.