Pride…it’s Not Just for Big Cities Anymore

Photo by BigStock/BalkansCat

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Pride—it started as a revolution, an uprising by the LGBTQ+ community in response to the police raid at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village on a hot summer night in June of 1969. That first riot set into motion a movement that would eventually see a big part of the world swathed in rainbows for the month of June to celebrate, affirm, honor and embrace LGBTQ folx across the board.

While most may think that large Pride celebrations, festivals and parades would be limited to cities like New York, Los Angeles and Minneapolis, it is becoming more and more common to see Pride being openly and joyously celebrated even in smaller, more rural areas.

Here’s a list of some of the upcoming Pride celebrations that Lavender has compiled, so throw on that rainbow gear, head out on a road trip and show your Pride!

 

Twin Cities Pride
July 17 – 18 • Loring Park, Minneapolis • www.tcpride.org

The 49^th annual Twin Cities Pride Festival will be more streamlined than usual due to Covid—there will be no parade, Saturday night fireworks or Saturday night concert, but the park will feature many local LGBTQ+ and BIPOC vendors, music stages, food courts and a beer garden. All LGBTQ+ people and allies are welcome!

 

Fargo-Moorhead Pride
Aug 12 – 15 • Fargo, ND • www.fmpride.com

 We’re back, so celebrate with us in person! Fargo-Moorhead Pride draws folks in from North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Canada, making it one of the nation’s largest rural Pride celebrations. Drag, dancing, trivia & karaoke, a block party, live music, vendors, artists, food, fun and laughter—we’ve got it all!

 

Duluth/Superior Pride
Sept 2 – 5 • Bayfront Park, Duluth, MN • www.duluthsuperiorpride.com

Labor Day Weekend in the Twin Ports wouldn’t be the same without the annual Pride celebration! Food, fun, artists, music, vendors—you can find it all here. This year’s theme is “Together again, stronger than ever.”

 

South Central Minnesota PrideFest
Sept 11 • Riverfront Park, Mankato, MN • www.scmnpride.org

Rain or shine, we’ll be showing our true colors from noon to 5 PM with exhibitors, music, food, fun, dancing in the streets, and, of course, a parade!

 

La Crosse PRiDE – 7 Rivers Pride
Sept 11 • La Crosse, WI • www.7riverslgbtq.org

We are planning on our 2021 return, so don’t miss this year’s PRiDE in the Park! Food, music, fun and more! It’s an all-ages event devoted to inclusion, diversity, inclusivity and celebrating human rights in our community, all while having a great time in a safe and welcoming environment.

 

East Central Minnesota Pride
Sept 18 • Robinson Park, Pine City, MN • eastcentralminnesotapride.org

Pride in the Park returns! Minnesota’s small town Pride is stronger than ever, so come on out to this free event and enjoy food trucks, live music, vendors and plenty of fun as folks from Pine, Kanabec, Chisago, Isanti and Mille Lacs counties come together to show their support and Pride!

 

St. Cloud Pride
Sept 18 – 19 • St. Cloud, MN • www.stcpride.org

Join us for a weekend of fun in the Granite City! Pride in the Park begins at 11 AM on Saturday, with the St. Cloud Pride Drag Show commencing at 8 PM. The Pride parade will be held on Sunday at 1 PM.

 

Rochester Pride
Sept 25 • Mayo Park, Rochester, MN • www.rochmnpride.com

Join Rochester’s LGBTQIA community as they come out to celebrate the diversity and inclusivity of their city! A day filled with vendors, artists, musicians and all the colors of the rainbow will make for one fantastic party in the park.

 

Columbia Heights PRIDE
Oct 9 • Sullivan Lake Park, Columbia Heights, MN • www.facebook.com/cohipride/

The volunteer-run group plans to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community of Columbia Heights from 11 AM – 5 PM. All are welcome to attend.