By Chris Spangler
A rainbow formed over the Fort Atkinson Farmers Market late Saturday morning when Victorya Atwood took the stage.
With whoops, hollers and applause, an estimated 400 people of all ages welcomed the drag queen to the community, enjoying her lip syncing, struts and high kicks to music, in between several costume changes.
In the finale, appropriately to the late Donna Summer’s iconic song, “Last Dance,” Victorya was joined by two volunteers, one of them being University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Interim Provost Robin Fox.
Fox, a UW-Whitewater employee for 32 years and former dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies, has worked greatly with schools on how to be inclusive of members of the LGBTQ community.
Victorya had offered to perform as a favor to her friend, Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce Farmers Market Manager Haley Kessler. However, the show briefly was canceled last week after some negative Facebook posts caused organizers to be concerned for Victorya’s safety, as well as that of vendors and attendees.
It was back on after a discussion between chamber, market and police representatives, and on Saturday, the crowd was appreciative and supportive, with no problems observed.
The Fort Atkinson chapter of the Unity Project passed out rainbow flags and stickers.
As audience members started arriving for the show, many sporting rainbow-colored clothes and posters promoting inclusivity, the mood was light.
Alison Godvik and Sara Godvik, formerly of Fort Atkinson and now residing in Janesville, were invited to the program by relative Mike Helmick of Fort Atkinson.
“I’m just here to support the show and the people who are here,” Alison said.
“That’s the reason we came from Janesville,” Sara agreed. “Beforehand, we went around to all the different vendors and we picked up a lot of good stuff. We want to support not just the show, but the local community for having this show.”
She continued: “Like a lot of others, I was extremely disappointed, but sadly not surprised, to see that it had been canceled and quite delighted that it is back on. We need more of this.”
Ty Young and her stepmother, Erica Young, of Fort Atkinson, had up-front seats and displayed a poster reading “We’re loud, we’re proud and we’re not going anywhere!”
“I basically heard about the show from my stepmom,” Ty said. “She found out and said ‘it seems like fun, why not not come?’ and I said, ‘Alright! Drag show!”
“I love drag shows!” Erica shared. “I was coming before all of it (the cancellation) happened. As soon as the drama happened, I said, ‘We’ve got to be there. We’ve got to be there in full force. There was no choice. We had to be there. Loud, proud and extreme!”
She continued: “You can have a very family-friendly drag show, I’m just saying. You can have a very unfriendly family one too, don’t get me wrong. Those are fun also.
“Somebody dancing to music in a dress has nothing to do with sexuality or anything lewd,” she added. “It makes no sense. You would hope, with the crowd that’s showing up, there will be some people’s minds changed.
Joanie Johnson, of Janesville, was attending the show with her husband, Brian, and their daughter, Paige.
“It’s important for people to show up,” she said. “It’s important for more family-friendly events (like this) and the world at large to understand that queer kids exist and need just as much support as queer adults.
“And it’s important for queer kids to see that they aren’t alone and they are supported, they have a community behind them, both within the queer community and within allies outside of it,” she added.
While Victorya’s drag show is fun entertainment, Joanie said, “It’s entertainment in the form of showing that being different is OK. That it’s OK to embrace being different. It’s OK to be who you are, and to embrace what you love and who you love.”
Marvel Rowley of Fort Atkinson came to the performance with her daughter, Sue Johnson, of Fort Atkinson.
Sue said she wasn’t originally planning to attend, but then changed her mind.
“I’m part of the Unity Project,” Sue said. “And so I came down to support Victorya.”
Kendall Paquin and her mother, Katie Paquin, of Fort Atkinson, said they aren’t regular farmers market attendees, but they attended Saturday to see the show.
“Somebody told us it was going to be here, so we’ve come out to support it. It’s for everybody,” Katie said. “Both of my daughters are gay, and I thought it was a good idea to come out.”
After posing for pictures with fans, Victorya said she was pleased by the number of attendees.
“It’s definitely a small community that is working its way (forward),” she said, adding that she was proud of the turnout.
Victorya noted that this marked her first farmers market appearance. Question is, will there be others?
“I’ve never done a farmers market at all,” she said. “If someone else wants me to come, I’ll say ‘sure.’ After this initial one, I’ll look into the community a little bit more, but yes!”
Victorya, at right, is joined by two volunteers, including University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Interim Provost Robin Fox, pictured center. The group dances to the late Donna Summer’s iconic song, “Last Dance.” Fox, A UW-Whitewater employee for 32 years and former dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies, has worked extensively with schools to embrace inclusion.
Unity Project member Gina Elmore, at left, presents Victorya with a bouquet of flowers as a thank-you for the performance.
Alison, from left, and Sara Godvik, formerly of Fort Atkinson and now residing in Janesville, attend the program with relative Mike Helmick of Fort Atkinson.
Ty Young, at left, and her stepmother, Erica Young, of Fort Atkinson, display a poster reading “We’re loud, we’re proud and we’re not going anywhere.”
Kendall Paquin, at left, and her stepmother, Katie Penquin, enjoy the show. Kendall made a rainbow fan to display during the event.
Victorya Atwood dances at the farmers market. During the show, the performer made several costume changes.
Some 400 people attend Saturday’s drag queen performance.
Victorya, at left, accepts tips as she dances her way through the crowd Saturday.
Members in the audience enjoy the show. Victorya’s performance drew people of all ages.
A fan and her dog pose for a photo with Victorya Atwood Saturday after the show.
Joanie Johnson, from left, of Janesville, enjoys the show with her daughter, Paige, and husband, Brian.
Chris Spangler photos.
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