On Sunday, September 5th, Atlanta’s Piedmont Park will welcome the 9th Pure Heat Community Festival; also known as a free “day of unity.” The free cultural event is equipped with market and food vendors, live celebrity and local performers, entertainment, educational forums, prizes & giveaways – all designed to bring together the spirit of community, pride, and vision. In partnership with The Vision Community Foundation, a portion of proceeds from the weekend’s festivities are used to benefit homeless LGBTQ+ youth and those impacted from HIV/AIDS.
This year’s festival will honor veteran hip-hop artist and two-time GRAMMY Award-nominee, Da Brat, and her fiancé Jesseca “Judy” Dupart, the multi-millionaire business owner and CEO of Kaleidoscope Hair Products.
Hosted by Bishop Oliver Clyde Allen III, Rashad Burgess, Melissa “DJ M” Scott and Julius “JuJu” James, the Pure Heat Community Festival is a front seat into a spectacular gathering of minority LGBTQ people and their allies in the heart of Atlanta.
“I’m super excited about being honored by the Atlanta Black Gay Pride and the Pure Heat Community Festival, especially alongside my baby. It’s like the perfect embrace to my recent full relocation here. Can’t wait to celebrate this with everyone. Thanks for sprinkling a dose of glitter on my life Atlanta,” shares Jesseca “Judy” Dupart.
Additional honorees include the founder of the Zeus Network, Lemuel Plummer; the city of Atlanta’s LGBTQ Affairs Coordinator, Malik Brown and legendary performer, Raquell Lord.
“The Pure Heat Community Festival is honored that the city of Atlanta welcomes us back for a 9th year. It is our goal to create a safe, fun, family environment for all,” shares The Vision Community Foundation executive director, Bishop OC Allen, III.
Previous festival honorees include entertainers Stacey Abrams, Tweet, Angelica Ross, Park Cannon, K. Michelle, Sevyn Streeter, Brandy, Kelly Price, Ray J, Monica, Tiny and more. The annual hair battle, j-sette competition, gospel choir, house-music DJ and fashion show are set to return all live from the main-stage.
For more information on the Pure Heat Community Festival visit: pureheatcommunityfestival.com and for information on Atlanta Black Gay Pride weekend visit ATLGayPride.com.