The Rainbow Weekend 5K is returning during Main Street Kent's sixth annual Rainbow Weekend, which takes place each October in Kent, Ohio, to celebrate our city's LGBTQ+ community. This year's theme is Pride and Joytwo powerful reminders of what our LGBTQ+ community represents. Pride honors the courage to live authentically, the progress we've made, and the resilience of those who came before us. Joy celebrates the freedom to be ourselves, the moments that make our community vibrant and strong, and the connections we build along the way.

For the LGBTQ+ community, joy is more than happinessit is an act of resistance. In the face of discrimination, adversity, and those who would diminish our identities, choosing to celebrate, to love openly, to laugh together, and to build community is a powerful declaration that we belong. Our joy affirms that we are not defined by the challenges we face, but by the lives we create and the hope we share.

Join your community of LGBTQ+ folks and allies on Saturday, October 17, at 11:00 am for a 5K walk and fun run. The route will take participants through the trees of the Portage Hike & Bike Trail and will start and end at North Water Brewing Company, where an End of the Rainbow Party will be taking place at the finish line.

Were excited to announce that the 2026 beneficiary of Rainbow Weekend will again be the Portage County Pride Fund [https://portagefoundation.org/portage-county-pride-fund/] (PoCo Pride Fund)! Offered through The Portage Foundation, this fund exists to serve the Portage County communitystudents, young adults, families, and local organizationsby helping meet essential needs with timely and practical support. PoCo Pride offers grant programs to local organizations that offer resources, education, or outreach for LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Portage County as well as short-term financial aid for Portage County LGBTQ+ college students facing immediate needs related to food, housing, medical care, or transportation.

The cost of a ticket is $25 plus a registration fee until August 31. The price will increase to $30 plus the fee on September 1. From September 16-October 17, tickets will cost $35 plus the fee. Your ticket includes participation in the 5K, a fabulous T-shirt (please note that although we will order extra, we can no longer guarantee a t-shirt, especially of a certain size, after Sept. 16), and additional giveaways and snacks at the event (more details coming soon). After the race, join us for the End of the Rainbow Party at North Water Brewing Co., during which a portion of the proceeds from drink purchases will be donated to the PoCo Pride Fund.

As we run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, we're doing more than crossing a finish line. We're supporting programs and resources that uplift LGBTQ+ individuals and families while creating a space where everyone is welcomed, valued, and celebrated. Whether you're participating to honor someone you love, to support an important cause, or simply to stand in solidarity, your presence makes a difference. Together, let's fill every mile with pride, every step with purpose, and every moment with joy. We can't wait to see you at the starting line!