Pride in the Park, the first public Pride Month celebration in Grant County, is slated for June 25.
The family-friendly celebration will run from 4 to 8 p.m. June 25 at Matter Park’s Bandshell and nearby Shelter 5. The party will feature free entertainment, food vendors, and more. All are welcome at this event celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community.
Pride Month is observed every year in June, in recognition of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City when trans women of color and allied friends stood up against harassment and discriminatory laws. Pride Month recognizes the cultural, civic, social, and economic contributions to our society made by LGBTQIA+ people that strengthen our collective social welfare. Pride Month also actively promotes the principles of equality, liberty, and justice.
The organizing committee, Grant County Pride, believes that every person deserves a place to call home where they feel safe, happy, and supported by friends and neighbors. While the LGBTQIA+ community has made great strides, work remains in order to achieve full equality, inclusion, and acceptance. Pride Month celebrations can be a part of that work.
Pride in the Park will include:
- Entertainment from Tony, Marion’s DJ
- A live performance by Edens Lost
- Yoga with Katie Karnehm-Esh (ends at 6 p.m.)
- Pride photoshoots by Tlee Photography
- Food vendors including Suga’s Sweet Lemonade, Paco’s Tacos
- Vendors selling various other items
- Giveaways and games
A second Pride Month event, the Pride After Dark Drag Show, will start at 9 p.m. at The Sender Building, 100 S. Washington St., in downtown Marion.
