Organizer Melissa Easley, of Beer Money Entertainment, said the event is designed to be family-friendly and hyper-local, spotlighting small businesses from the Matthews area. She said none of the participating vendors advertise as adult-only.

"It is absolutely hyper local and even more, they are small businesses that need our community," Easley said. "This is a Matthews business event. And we want everyone to feel loved and welcome and safe."

Lisa Metzger, co-founder of Protecting North Carolina Kids, said she intends to protest outside the event. She objects to drag performances advertised as part of Sunday's gathering, arguing they are not appropriate for children.

"When we're thinking about Pride, we're thinking about sexual orientation. ... Is this something we should have out for everybody to see who is passing by? No," Metzger said.

Easley rejected that criticism, saying the need for Pride events stems from the very objections they draw.

"The whole reason we have Pride is because of what you're seeing. If none of this existed, there'd be no need for Pride," she said.

The town of Matthews said all groups, regardless of viewpoint, have the same right to use public facilities as long as they meet the town's rental requirements and policies. Pride in the Park is not a town-sponsored event.

In a statement ahead of Sunday's gathering, the town clarified that its parks are available for rental under established ordinances, policies and procedures, and that organizers must sign a rental agreement acknowledging those practices.

"The Town applies these policies consistently, regardless of the viewpoints or messages expressed by event organizers," the statement said. "All groups have the same right to use public facilities, provided they meet the applicable requirements."

Matthews police said officers will be on hand, as they would be for any event. Both Easley and Metzger called for Sunday to remain peaceful.

"We need to stand there, we need to let our voices be heard," Metzger said.

Easley acknowledged the protesters' right to demonstrate while making clear she disagrees with them.

"They have their right as American citizens to protest and there's nothing I can say about that," she said. "Obviously, I very much disagree with them. And I think they're misguided. However, it is their right and that's where they're going to be."

The event marks a first for Matthews, a Mecklenburg County town that has not previously hosted a Pride gathering. Organizers framed Sunday's event as both a celebration and a show of support for local small businesses, with the town's rental policies — applied uniformly across viewpoints — providing the legal framework for the gathering and the counter-demonstration alike.