Trump Train member stirs drama, forces New Braunfels Pride to relocate

Rainbow flags and bold colors were set to light up New Braunfels this October, but the city’s annual LGBTQ+ celebration hit a major roadblock. After three years of tradition at the Comal County Fairgrounds, Riverside Pride announced the festival would move to a new location amid safety concerns and public backlash.

The controversy erupted after social media posts by local far-right activist Joeylynn Mesaros drew widespread attention. Mesaros, a former participant in the 2020 “Trump Train” convoy that surrounded a Joe Biden campaign bus on I-35, has led a movement as she advocated against the upcoming festival.

Several of her Facebook posts highlighted comments from a drag performer scheduled to appear at Riverside Pride, who described their show as “titillating” and “tasty ocular treats.” Though the post was later edited to “twirling and swirling,” the organization made the decision to remove the performer entirely and demanded the post’s removal, reinforcing its commitment to family-friendly programming.

“Our goal is to celebrate our community safely, and there’s no place for content that could be perceived otherwise,” Merrie Fox, president of Riverside Pride, tells MySA. “We are a family-friendly organization, and this is how we conduct ourselves.”

Riverside Pride, founded in 2018, has hosted drag performances as part of its festival for years, carefully distinguishing between adult-only shows and family-friendly entertainment. Fox emphasized that festival performances involve performers in costumes and dancing in a style appropriate for all ages. 

“There are adult-only, risque drag performances that children should not be at,” Fox said. “Our queens dress in a fun, fabulous way, but there’s no gyrating or slits up to the hip. We are not marketing to children, and parents decide whether to bring their kids.”

Drag performances have increasingly gained national attention, often sparking debate about their place in public and family-oriented events. Drag Queen Story Hours, in particular, have sparked discussion nationwide over age appropriateness. Organizations hosting such events, including Riverside Pride, carefully curate content to ensure performances remain suitable for children when families are present, focusing on costumes, storytelling, and dancing rather than adult themes.

Despite these precautions, Mesaros’ posts prompted widespread online discussion and pressure from parents and local leaders. Texas House Representative Carrie Isaac, representing House District 73, praised the Comal County Fairgrounds Board for reviewing rental policies. “Texans have a long tradition of respecting adults’ privacy and personal choices. However, when children are exposed to adult themes or sexually explicit content, we must draw a firm line. As a community, a state, and a nation, our first responsibility is to protect the innocence and safety of our children,” Rep. Isaac said in a statement. 

The Comal County Fairgrounds, which had hosted Riverside Pride for the past three years without incident, also issued a statement following the controversy. “Following discussions with the organizers of the New Braunfels Riverside Pride Festival, and after expressing concerns related to age appropriateness, safety, and the well-being of all involved, the event organizers have decided to relocate their event to an alternate venue,” the statement read. 

The Fair Association emphasized that its facility rentals are nonpartisan and open to the community based on availability, and that future contracts will be revised to better reflect safety and family-friendly standards while maintaining neutrality. The association did not respond to MySA’s request for comment. 

The City of New Braunfels provided a brief statement noting its role in public event safety: “The City of New Braunfels works closely with event organizers to help ensure public events are safe and secure for everyone involved. Our Police and Fire Departments routinely review event plans, coordinate staffing, and provide guidance on public safety measures to help support a safe environment for attendees, participants, and the community.” 

While the City confirmed this statement, it did not follow up with broader commentary on supporting inclusive events like Pride in the future.

Since the news, Riverside Pride consulted with the Fairgrounds, law enforcement and its board to assess security needs. With hiring additional officers for full coverage now estimated at $11,000, in addition to rental and operational costs, the organization decided a smaller, more manageable venue was necessary.

“We wanted to take the pressure off the Fair Association, and more importantly, make sure everyone in our community is safe,” Fox said.

Riverside Pride plans to announce the new venue soon. The festival was slated to perform on Saturday, October 11, but whether or not that’s the case is to be determined. While details remain under wraps, Fox confirmed the event will be smaller than previous years, maintaining the same focus on family-friendly programming, live music, a drag show appropriate for all ages and community engagement.

“We could have canceled, but we refuse to do that because our community needs a safe space to be themselves and celebrate their diversity. Riverside Pride exists to normalize our presence in New Braunfels and to provide joy and safety for our LGBTQ+ community and allies,” she said.

The 2025 Riverside Pride Festival will continue the organization’s mission to offer a visible, supportive environment in the Hill Country. Despite backlash, Riverside Pride has received strong support from community members who see the event as a vital space for connection and inclusion.

“The majority of the comments we receive are very positive. People tell us how much they appreciate the existence of this organization because it gives them a place to feel safe,” Fox said.

With a new location and reinforced safety measures, Riverside Pride aims to carry forward its annual tradition, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community while ensuring events remain appropriate for families and safe for all attendees. “We are not going anywhere,” Riverside Pride’s latest Facebook post reads.