WEDNESDAY, Aug. 11 — The Howell Melon Fest will roll out this weekend without booze and without the controversial drag queen bingo event. On top of that, a farmer who spoke out in favor of the drag queen event had her home vandalized with graffiti.
WHMI spoke with local farmer Renay Gedeon this morning about finding her home vandalized last night. Someone spray painted “KKK” and “Que” on her garage. She believes this was because she spoke out in favor of the controversial Drag Queen Bingo event. Regardless, she said she will be selling her melons and produce at the festival this weekend.
Bradley Haas, co-owner of Beauty Beyond Drag Productions, which was hosting the bingo event, announced Tuesday on Facebook that the event was being cancelled.
“You all know that there has been quite a bit of controversy surrounding our drag bingo,” he wrote. “While we appreciate the love and support of some community members, we have made a decision for the safety of ourselves and our performers to cancel drag bingo at the historic Howell theater.”
Haas said the decision was made in consultation with the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority. He also noted that the controversy over the show had turned into a “monster.”
The move comes just days before the Aug. 14 show was scheduled to happen.
Last week, in order to address concerns about public safety related to the bingo event, HAPRA officials cancelled all alcohol sales at the three day festival, a larger concession than Howell City Council had originally requested. The Council wanted alcohol sales stopped at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Melon Fest runs Aug. 13-15 in downtown Howell.
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