The 15th Annual Salt Lake City Pagan Pride Day took place on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Liberty Park in downtown Salt Lake City. Over 30 vendors came to celebrate Pagan pride, build community, share goods, services, and fellowship.
The change in venue was a necessary step in the progression, health, and building of Pagan pride. Returning it to Salt Lake City limits allowed for more access, more people to stroll through, and provided the opportunity to build awareness of Paganism. Traffic came from all over the park, as passers by, people who lived near Liberty, and overflow from the 9th and 9th Street Fair happening at the same time.
The opening ritual was performed by Crone’s Hollow, who chanted and welcomed the first timers into the community, encircling them and encouraging the old Pagans to give hugs and handshakes to the new people. Music was heard and dancers performed continually throughout the day, with a mix of country and rock. Bands like Ceol Realm and Maiden Voyage with Bellydancing by Thia and Shadow of the Moon. Several workshops took place, with president Cureton teaching a workshop on creating Pagan archives.
SLPS had a booth next to Hart’s Heart Clan of Grantsville, a Norse clan. SLPS decorated the booth with Chinese lanterns, coffee, mooncakes, and an altar was set up to Fu, the Chinese folk deity of success, to honor the Harvest Moon that happened on Friday, September 16. Fu did indeed bring the money and success, with many clients coming to the tent for $5 readings. One student of SLCC even interviewed president Cureton for a diversity project about religions in Salt Lake.
The closing rite was performed by Hart’s Hearth Clan who honored Freyja and Freyr, blessing the people with apple juice and a pine bow. Everyone left the festival feeling relieved, happy, and excited. The energy of the day was uplifting, positive, and rooted in togetherness. There was a sense of healing, that the festival provided the community a step in the right direction to heal old wounds and to move forward in fellowship. Many old Pagans commented on the change, and how everyone left with smiles. All the vendors were happy with the success of the day, committing to returning next year.
The new steering committee and leadership of Pagan Pride wanted to be more inclusive, so they invited non Pagan vendors such as the Utah Chapter of the Horror Writers Association to connect Pagans to resources and opportunities in the community. UCHWA helps writers write, edit, and has publishing opportunities. They were very happy, “We loved it, we sold many books and all of the 2nd anthology we published last year that we brought we us. Many folks are interested in joining. We’ll be back next year!” Commented Cody Langille.
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, Rita Morgan (white center), Opening ritual, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, Rita Morgan (white center), Opening ritual, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, opening ritual, Tamara Gold (center brown), Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, registration booth, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, announcements, ASL translator, Debra Hurst (right), Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, Lei Loni Middleton (middle), SLPS booth, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, altar with Fu, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, altar with Fu, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, vendor booth (looking NW), Saturday, vendor booth (looking NW), September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, vendor booths (looking NE), Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, vendor booths (looking SE), Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, vendor booths (looking N), Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, Temple of Isis booth, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, Bellydancing by Thia dancers, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, festival (looking NE), Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, closing rith with Hart’s Hearth Clan, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, Closing ritual with Hart’s Hearth Clan, atlar, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, closing ritual with Hart’s Hearth Clan, cirlce, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT —
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, Saturday, Rex Juhlin (center right), September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, Rex Juhlin (l), Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, Rex Juhlin (l) and Debra Hurst offering sacred oath, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City 15th Annual Pagan Pride Day, after festival dinner, nabeyaki udon noodles at Kyoto, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake Pagan Society 