Rainbow Roots Festival returns to Lake Mirror today with first AIDS quilt display in 20 years

Illustrative file photo from 1994 showing AIDS Memorial Quilt panels laid out on pavement during a quilt-making event, unrelated to the Lakeland festival. Photo: David Prasad from Welches, OR., United States / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0). Resized; website wordmark added. Photo source · License

Lakeland's second annual Rainbow Roots Festival runs today, Sunday, Oct. 4, from noon to 5 p.m. at Lake Mirror Auditorium, 121 S Lake Ave. The free event is open to all ages and includes queer-owned businesses, performers and community organizations.

AIDS Memorial Quilt returns after two decades

Organizers say the festival will include the first display of AIDS Memorial Quilt panels seen in Polk County in roughly 20 years. A remembrance ceremony is planned before the panels move to the Rose Dynasty Center, where they will remain on display.

Health services at the Rose Dynasty Center

The event is tied to the Rose Dynasty Center, identified as Polk County's first LGBTQ-focused center, which provides primary care, mental health counseling, and free HIV and STD testing, treatment and prevention through Pineapple Healthcare. Founder Jason DeShazo said Polk County ranks in the top two to three percent of U.S. counties for HIV and AIDS rates, underscoring the need for no-cost testing and treatment.

Festival details

The Rose Dynasty Foundation hosts the festival with sponsor Pineapple Healthcare. Organizers said last year's first festival drew more than 900 people, and this year's vendor spots have already sold out, though the event remains open to the public.