Get ready for a day filled with color, creativity, laughter, and community at Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s Rainbow Family Day! Join us on Sunday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as we celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community in recognition of National Coming Out Day.
Rainbow Family Day is an opportunity for families, friends, and community members of all ages to come together and celebrate what makes our community special. Whether you’re looking to enjoy live entertainment, discover local resources, support young entrepreneurs, get creative, or simply spend a fun day together, there will be something for everyone.
Rainbow Family Day is also an opportunity to recognize the rich history of LGBTQIA+ people and community-building in Fresno County and throughout the Central Valley.
For decades, LGBTQ+ people in Fresno have created places and organizations where people could find connection, friendship, and a sense of belonging. Fresno Chaffee Zoo strives to live out its mission by doing the same. A community is built by people who create spaces for one another, share their stories, support their neighbors, and make it possible for future generations to feel seen and welcomed.
One of the day’s most colorful activities will be the Rainbow Family Day Stroller Derby, judged by the fabulous Ash City Roller Derby Team!
Families are invited to bring their strollers and transform them into rolling works of PRIDE-inspired art. Deck yours out in all the colors of the rainbow, add sparkling glitter, dazzling decorations, and plenty of personality for a chance to show off your family’s unique flair. No supplies, no worries! The Zoo will have a limited supply of decorating materials available so everyone can join in the creative fun.
Once your stroller masterpiece is complete, get ready to show it off! Participants will roll in style in a festive stroller parade through Kopje Lodge. Program information, including the parade time, will be available on the day of the event, so be sure to check the event schedule when you arrive.
And what’s a derby without a little friendly competition? One lucky winner will receive a small participation prize and, of course, the most important prize of all: bragging rights as this year’s Stroller Derby champion!
Rainbow Family Day is about more than one activity or event. It’s about creating a welcoming space where people can gather, connect, celebrate, and have fun together.
And what’s a derby without a little friendly competition? One lucky winner will receive a small participation prize and, of course, the most important prize of all: bragging rights as this year’s Stroller Derby champion!
Rainbow Family Day is about more than one activity or event. It’s about creating a welcoming space where people can gather, connect, celebrate, and have fun together.
Take in a performance by CenCal Yoyo Club, Hearts on Fire Choir, and OneHope Community Choir. Grab something delicious to eat from a variety of food trucks and pop ups, meet local organizations to gain important resources, catch a cooking demo, browse creative offerings from youth vendors, or settle in for story time by Novella Dean. Everyone can explore their creativity through art, make memories together, find opportunities to connect with the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies, and learn about the incredible animals and conservation at the Zoo.
At Rainbow Family Day, we believe in celebrating the people and organizations that help make our community stronger, more welcoming, and more connected. Each year, we honor a Community Hero—someone making a meaningful difference through compassion, service, advocacy, and commitment to others. This year, we are proud to recognize Womxn to Womxn, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women and strengthening connections within our community. Their work reflects the spirit of what it means to show up for others, create opportunities, and help build a community where everyone has the chance to feel supported and valued. Please join us in celebrating Womxn to Womxn and the positive impact they continue to have on our community. Stop by their table to add a tile to the mosaic.
As we recognize National Coming Out Day, Rainbow Family Day offers a chance to celebrate the many identities, stories, families, and experiences that make our community vibrant and unique. It is also an opportunity to honor the generations of LGBTQIA+ people and allies who have helped build community in Fresno and the Central Valley.
From the gathering places of decades past to today’s Pride celebrations, community organizations, student groups, families, and advocates, Fresno’s LGBTQIA+ story continues to grow. We are extremely grateful to our sponsors Binational of California, Clinical Sierra Vista, and Tuff Shed for their generous donations to make this event possible.
So, gather your family and friends, bring your creativity, and get ready for a day full of PRIDE, fun, history, and community spirit!
We can’t wait to celebrate Rainbow Family Day with you.