Be the Rainbow | hello again books

This year, hello again books is hosting its 3rd annual Be the Rainbow event celebrating diversity in our community and the awesomeness of all of our allies!

For the past two years, we've celebrated on one day, a Saturday, with a day FULL of events... and this year is NO DIFFERENT! More than ever, we need a day of fun for everyone. So, we'll offer our Be the Rainbow event plus THREE ADDITIONAL DAYS of colorful splendor! Here's the quick overview (tons of details below!):

Open Mic at Hogan's Irish Pub in Cocoa Village on TUESDAY, June 6, from 7-10pm. Anyone can join. This is a free event. Just show up!
Show Tunes Singalong at the Village Idiot Pub on
THURSDAY, June 8, from 6-8pm
Anyone can join. This is a free event. Just show up!
Sparkle & Sway the Night Away! Invitation-only event on FRIDAY, June 9, from 6:30-9 pm
Dress in your rainbow finest and swing the night away at our all-ages dance! This is a ticketed event. Tickets are $10 per person. Come in to hello again books and ask about specifics.
Be the Rainbow! A day of family fun throughout the Village on
SATURDAY, June 10, from 9:30 am-3:30 pm

All of our events take place in Historic Cocoa Village, Cocoa, Florida, right where our bookstore and soo many other wonderful shops, stores, and restaurants call home!

Each year, we raise money for a nonprofit. This year, Be the Rainbow is donating 100% of all $ raised to Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.).

B.A.C.A. exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. They exist as a body of bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. They stand ready to lend support to wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. They work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. They desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused children that this child is a part of their organization, and that they are prepared to lend their physical and emotional support to them by affiliation and physical presence. They stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse. They do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that they are the only obstacle prevent a child from further abuse, they stand ready to be that obstacle.

Want more details on each of the Be the Rainbow events? Keep reading....

Be the Rainbow in 2023! Three Days of Celebration!

SHOWTUNES SINGALONG!
Thursday, June 8: 6-8 pm

We all love a good show tune! So why not grab a friend and come sing with us? We'll be playing all the hits, both old and new. Sing with strangers who will quickly become friends when you’re all screaming “Let it Go” from Disney’s Frozen at the top of your lungs! This is an all-ages event, and allies are welcome! The Village Idiot Pub has generously supplied the venue, and we’ll supply the music, so come one and all to sing and have some fun as we kick off Be the Rainbow in Cocoa Village!

When: 6-8 pm

Where: The Village Idiot Pub outside in their patio area

Sponsor: The Village Idiot Pub

Cost: Free to all

SPARKLE & SWAY!
Friday, June 9: 6:30-9 pm

Have you dreamed of wearing sparkles or tulle from head to toe? Do you picture yourself in a canary yellow or sky blue suit with a neon pink bowtie? Ever wondered what it might be like to be a human disco ball casting rainbows around the room? Well, here’s your chance! Join us for Sparkle & Sway – an invitation for you to bring your most colorful formal wear to the dance floor! Listen to some delightful music and enjoy an evening out before our big Be the Rainbow event on Saturday: Let's celebrate! We'll have light refreshments and snacks, plus a photo opportunity to capture the rainbow magic that is YOU! Please note: This is an all-ages event, and allies are welcome! Tickets are $10 per person for this event, and you MUST have a ticket to enter the event location. This is an invitation-required evening and space is limited, so please visit hello again books to secure a spot and get more details!

When: 6:30-9 pm

Where: Cocoa Village

Sponsors: Cypress Table, 3 Sparrows, & The Sea Witch of Cocoa Village

Cost: $10 per person to be paid in advance at hello again books

BE THE RAINBOW!
Saturday, June 10: 9:30-3:30 pm

This family event welcomes children and adults of all ages. Activities and events will honor and celebrate diversity within our community throughout the day. Come dressed to “Be the rainbow!” We invite attendees to wear bright colors, unicorn t-shirts, tutus… whatever makes attendees feel happy and full of pride!

THE RAFFLE: FABULOUS GIFT BASKETS (3) that will be on display at hello again books all day on June 10th. Three drawings (one for each of the gift baskets) will take place at 2:45pm, June, 10, 2023, at hello again books. Participants do not need to be present to win.

To enter, purchase a $1 ticket at hello again books throughout the day. 100% of the ticket price will be donated to B.A.C.A. There is no limit to number of tickets an individual can purchase! Bring CASH!

Are you a local business, artist, or maker who wants to donate something to the FABULOUS GIFT BASKETS? Just bring your donation by and make sure we get a picture so we can promote your awesomeness!

Here's our full-day schedule of fun for our Be the Rainbow event on Saturday, June 10, 2023!

9:30 am - Rainbow Pet Parade co-hosted by Tails at the Barkery: Start at the Gazebo and walk through the village with your colorfully adorned pet! ...you should probably dress up, right? Swing by Tails at the Barkery (a totally pooch-loving co-host for this event) with your lovely doggies! There will be best-dressed awards!
11 am - Pulse Remembrance and Moment of Silence: June 12th marks the 7th anniversary of the Pulse shooting. In honor of those we lost, survivors, those who lost someone close to them, and all who were impacted, we hold a short ceremony with a moment of silence.
11:10 am - Story Time: A community member will read a book or two in the Myrt Tharpe Square gazebo!
Special guest Eric Rosswood, award-winning author of "Strong" (winner of the Stonewall Honor Award) and author of additional books, including:
- "Journey to Parenthood: Ultimate Guide for Same-Sex Couples"
- "We Make it Better: The LGBTQ Community and Their Positive Contributions to Society"
- "The Ultimate Guide for Gay Dads: Everything You Need to Know About LGBTQ Parenting But Are (Mostly) Afraid to Ask"
11-2:30 pm - Be the Rainbow Sticker Scavenger Hunt! Get your map at hello again books (or digitally!) and explore the village! Collect a sticker from each of the participating stores identified on the map. Feel free to wear your stickers or keep them for later… have fun and collect them all!
2:30 pm – Raffle Drawing: We'll draw the winners of the FABULOUS GIFT BASKET RAFFLE at hello again books
3 pm: Bike parade, co-hosted by The Village Cycle Shoppe: Bike riders will loop around the waterfront park 2-3 times, with awards for best bike and rider decorations presented after the ride.
3:30 pm – Bike Parade Awards & Closing Ceremony for Be the Rainbow! Join us as The Village Cycle Shoppe hands out awards in the outdoor area at The Village Idiot! Enjoy music and comradery as we wrap up a great Be the Rainbow 2023!

This event is for EVERYONE! Friends, families, kids, adults, seniors, allies... EVERYONE!

Please enjoy the Rainbow Marketplace in Myrt Tharpe Square throughout the day! Meet businesses, organizations, and individuals here to share their work, art, and products! See info below about being a vendor in the Rainbow Marketplace!

Want to be a vendor on Saturday, June 10? For $20, we're providing businesses, local organizations, and crafters a vendor space in Myrt Tharpe Square – the gazebo area in Cocoa Village.

Marketplace vendors can bring a standard four or 6-foot-long folding table
No tents since the square requires visibility to the gazebo throughout the day, but there are trees (nature’s shade), and we’ll try to provide a little extra cover where we can!
Be set up by 9 am to take advantage of the day’s activities and secure greater engagement within the community!
Vendors are asked to stay until 2 pm, but they can stay longer if they choose!
Space is limited – let us know by May 20, 2023, if you would like to be a Marketplace vendor
- How do you tell us you want to be included in the Rainbow Marketplace? Email helloagainbooks@gmail.com with the following information:
  - Your name, phone number, a couple of photos of what you’ll be selling that we can share on social, and your social handles (mainly FB & IG)
  - $20 to be paid on June 10 - cash requested, please! Receipts can be provided if necessary.
Vendors will be highlighted in dedicated hello again books and social media posts.
Please note: Vendors selected for this space are primarily for LGBTQ+ support groups, events, and organizations that support the community. If we have space left for additional merchant vendors, we will reach out in the order in which we have received requests and will be selected at the discretion of the event hosts.