(FARGO) — A drag performance at Fargo’s Red River Market in Broadway Square has caused concern among some citizens in Fargo and Moorhead.
“I’m extremely disappointed in the Fargo Park District for allowing Red River Market to host an open to the public drag show for kids,” concerned Fargo parent Cassie Schmidt told WDAY Radio News. “I can’t understand why these events that are continuously marketed as family friendly.”
The concern comes on the heels of the North Dakota Legislature’s passage, and Governor Doug Burgum’s signing of House Bill 1333, which placed restrictions on adult-oriented performances.
Joe Burgum, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Folkways, the organization which rents Broadway Square each Saturday from July through October for the Red River Market, says the organization has processes in place to make sure the performances are conforming to state law.
With regard to last weekend’s drag performance, Burgum says the performance was legal.
“We were not misaligned with the law,” he told WDAY Radio in a phone call Tuesday afternoon.
Carolyn Boutain, the Fargo Park District’s Community Relations Director, confirmed to WDAY Radio that the district knew about Pride Week celebrations planned by Folkways.
“As a rental we are aware that Folkways has themes each week to promote inclusion and community,” Boutain said in an email. “We are aware that they had plans for celebrating Pride Week with performance art that was inclusive and family friendly.”
Boutain continued, “The Fargo Park District negotiates in good faith with the public that wants to use any of our facilities. When an activity occurs that the public or the staff feel is not in compliance with the agreement or the law, the Fargo Park District will research the concern and respond accordingly.”
When reached by WDAY Radio News, North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley referred all questions to local officials.
Cass County State’s Attorney Kim Hegvik, in a statement to WDAY Radio, said, “The State’s Attorney’s Office has no investigative power. Without a law enforcement investigation, it would be inappropriate for my office to comment on whether alleged conduct violated the law.”
