HOLYOKE - This weekend's Rainbow RiverFest aims to be a lot of things to a lot of people, according to its organizer, Suzanne Seymour, executive director of the LGBT Coalition.

The Saturday event will offer a musical line-up, a sermon by a Springfield minister, performances, art, games, workshops, and a focus on issues facing gay youths. It runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Holyoke Canoe Club two miles from Northampton on Route. 5.

Founded in 2009, the LGBT Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to improve and preserve the well-being of LGBT individuals. The coalition last year produced a similar LGBT event, Queer Carnivale.

"This year we are focusing on paying attention to young people," said Seymour.

To that end, she said, the festival will include a youth tent for 12-22 year-olds offering workshops, Q&A sessions and people telling their coming-out stories.

The festival also will offer the "Zen Zone," a place people will find representatives from gay-friendly churches and religious institutions alongside health-related professionals such as massage therapists, acupuncturists and yoga teachers.

"The opportunity to form connections at the festival is what we want to develop," said Seymour.

The Rev. Charla Kouadio of Recovering the Promise Ministries in Springfield will offer a sermon and lead a ritual in which participants will carry rocks to the riverside as a way to signify letting go of burdens.

"Weights can help build us up or drudge us down," said Kouadio, a member of the LGBT Coalition board of directors. "I hope people will have an opportunity to release their weights at this festival."

Kouadio said she sees the festival as a community-building event. "I hope many people will come to this event to adhere together in a community, working together and having fun," she said.

Among the musical acts at the festival are Crystal Waters and Sister Funk.

Seymour said Rainbow Riverfest is geared to all ages.

"I hope for events like these to change society's perception regarding LGBT issues," she said.

"Events like these are changing the world, slowly but surely, and that's what the coalition is all about."

Tickets are at $10 in advance, $15 at the gate; free for people under 20.