Bunnies on the Bayou

Last updated
Bunnies on the Bayou
Statusactive
Frequencyannually
VenueWortham Center Fish Plaza
Location(s) Houston, Texas
CountryUnited States
Years active1979–2019, 2021–

Bunnies on the Bayou is a 501(c)(3) organization which hosts an annual party and fundraising event each year on Easter Sunday. [1] The organization is organized by and primarily serves members of the LGBT community of Houston, Texas, in the United States. According to its website, the organization's mission is to raise funds for "various charitable, educational and cultural programs that seek to improve the quality of life for individuals in the LGBT community and promotes education and awareness of individual human rights within greater Houston area. [2] The fundraiser is one of Houston's largest outdoor events and has been called the city's" largest annual outdoor cocktail party". [2] [3]

Contents

History

The event originated in 1979, when a group of friends hosted a birthday celebration on Easter at an apartment complex on Clay Street. News of the event spread; invitations were distributed and a sound system was installed the following year. [2] During the HIV/AIDS pandemic of the 1980s, party organizers began charging "admission" in the form of food for local charitable organizations. Over time, the event continued to grow and admission evolved from food to monetary contributions. [2] In the 1990s the group formally formed into a 501(c)(3) organization. [4]

Bunnies on the Bayou has been held at Wortham Center Fish Plaza in downtown Houston since the 1990s. [2] [3] In 2022 and 2023 the event was held in Sesquicentennial Park. [5] [6]

With the COVID-19 pandemic scrapping the 2020 event, the 42nd was deferred to 2021. [7] After a two-year break due to the pandemic, the event was once again held in 2022. [8]

Events

Bunnies on the Bayou

Bunnies on the Bayou is the organization's largest annual event, which is a large outdoor party held on Easter Sunday. [1] The event typically features live music and DJs as well as drag performances. [5] [9] Many attendees wear costumes and bunny ears. [4] [5] [9]

Other Events

Bunnies on the Bayou also host other events throughout the year including Snow Bunnies in the winter, [10] [11] masquerade themed Bunnies in Heat, [12] Honey Bunnies, Basket Bash, and an annual VIP Party. [1]

Fundraising

Funds raised by Bunnies on the Bayou is distributed to charities in Houston which serve "underrepresented communities." [13] Beneficiaries have included AIDS Foundation Houston, Montrose Grace Place, Hatch Youth, and others. [4] [6] [13] Since its inception, the fundraiser has raised more than $1.7 million for local charities. [13]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "FAQ › Bunnies on the Bayou". 2015-10-15. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "About". Bunnies on the Bayou, Inc. Archived from the original on May 31, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014. Our Purpose: Bunnies on the Bayou, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the raising and distributing of funds for various charitable, educational and cultural programs that seek to improve the quality of life for individuals in the LGBT community and promotes education and awareness of individual human rights within greater Houston area.
  3. 1 2 "2013 Bunnies on the Bayou". CultureMap Houston. 31 March 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 "Party with a purpose: Bunnies on the Bayou returns to Houston after two-year break". khou.com. April 12, 2022. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  5. 1 2 3 "Bunnies on the Bayou 44 - OutSmart Magazine". www.outsmartmagazine.com. 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  6. 1 2 "Bunnies on the Bayou raises more than $200K for LGBTQ+ community at annual fundraiser". khou.com. September 14, 2022. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  7. ↑ "Bunnies 41 Cancelled - Support Our Beneficiaries". Bunnies on the Bayou. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  8. ↑ Khan, Ana (April 15, 2022). "Bunnies on the Bayou returns with Houston's largest outdoor cocktail party". Preview. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  9. 1 2 "Bunnies on the Bayou Marks 44 Years of Fun – and Fundraising - OutSmart Magazine". www.outsmartmagazine.com. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  10. ↑ "Snowbunnies at ReBar Houston - OutSmart Magazine". www.outsmartmagazine.com. 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  11. ↑ "Queer Things to Do in Houston This Weekend: January 12 – January 15, 2023 - OutSmart Magazine". www.outsmartmagazine.com. 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  12. ↑ "Bunnies in Heat - OutSmart Magazine". www.outsmartmagazine.com. 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  13. 1 2 3 "Bunnies on the Bayou 44 - OutSmart Magazine". www.outsmartmagazine.com. 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
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