By ALEC CLAYTON
Jakes on 4th is, as it has been, “Pride Party Central” in Olympia. “Jakes has been in business since August 2004, and we’ve been a Pride supporter since then. I have attended Olympia Pride every year since it began,” says owner Rob Cameron.
Capital City Pride founder Anna Schlecht says, “Rob supported Pride long before he had his own bar. Back when he was a bartender he taught us the power of Jell-O shots in fundraising. As a bar owner he helped us secure major sponsors and always hosted our events. Rob has always been a major sponsor. Gay bars have long been one of the cornerstones of the LGBTQ community. For decades they have offered us a place we can be ourselves. Jake’s on 4th … is part of that long tradition, and Rob has been part of our LGBTQ history here in Olympia.”
Almost every year since the beginning, Jakes on 4th has held a fundraiser for Pride with an auction and/or drag show, consistently raising thousands of dollars in donations for Capital City Pride. “Unfortunately,” Cameron says, “this year I have been too busy to coordinate a fundraiser since [I’m] opening another bar and grill in Thurston County. However, Jake’s has made a generous donation to Pride this year and has financially supported Pride every year since 2004 with cash donations and help securing donations from distributors.”
Friday and Saturday there will be Pride kick-off dance parties with well-known DJs. On Sunday a 6 p.m. drag show will immediate following the events at the park, followed by dancing. “The Pride parties at Jake’s are something we look forward to every year,” Cameron says, adding, “We decorate to create a fun atmosphere. We post Pride-themed drink specials determined by the distributors that support our community with donations to Pride or other queer nonprofits. Throughout the night we give away tons of swag.”
WHAT
Dance party
WHERE
Jakes on 4th, 311 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia
WHEN
8 p.m., Saturday, June 9
HOW MUCH
Free
LEARN MORE
360-956-3247
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