May 31
Ever since the Stonewall Riots on June 28, 1969, June has been a special month to celebrate gay pride. But here in the Midwest, pride stretches beyond June and goes all summer long! Here’s a list of regional pride celebrations in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and (in celebration of its recent marriage equality victory) Arkansas. The past year has given us a lot to celebrate, so here
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Belle’s Basix parking lot,
3916 First Ave. NE
Festival with food and vendors starts at noon.
www.crpridefest.com
June 6-8
Des Moines, Iowa
Street festival Sat and Sun; parade Sun
www.capitalcitypride.org
June 6-8
Davenport, Iowa
Second & Warren Sts.
Kickoff bash: 6 p.m. Fri, admission $3
Festival: noon-midnight
Sat & Sun, admission $5
Live entertainment
www.qcpride.org
June 7
Joplin, Mo.
Landreth Park (Murphy Blvd & Main St)
Festival with vendors and live entertainment
10 a.m.-7 p.m.
www.joplinpride.com
June 7
Fort Smith, Ark.
Belle Isle Park
Field day and picnic.
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
br />June 7-8
Tulsa, Okla.
Block party noon-10 p.m. Sat at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, Fourth & Kenosha, with vendors, live entertainment, beer garden; parade 5 p.m. Sat.
Picnic at Centennial Park, Sixth & Peoria, noon-5 p.m. Sun
www.tulsapride.org
June 14
Fayetteville, Ark.
Parade: Lineup at 8 a.m. at Meadow St & Church Ave; parade at 10 a.m.
Admission: Free
nwapride.org
June 20-21
Iowa City, Iowa
Barbecue, 5:30 p.m. Fri, Upper City Park
Parade, noon Sat, downtown
Festival with vendors and entertainment, noon-5 p.m. Sat, Downtown Ped Mall
Admission: Free
www.iowacitypride.com
June 20-21
St. Joseph, Mo.
Coleman Hawkins Park at 7th & Felix Streets
LGBT Parade and Street Fair
Fri 5-11 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Admission: Free
www.stjoepride.com
June 20-22
Kansas City, Mo.
2500 State Line Rd., West Bottoms
Street fair with vendors & live entertainment
Fri 6 p.m.-midnight, Sat noon-10 p.m., Sun noon-6 p.m.
Admission: $5 after 3 p.m. Sat only
www.gaypridekc.org
June 20-22
Oklahoma City, Okla.
39th & Penn
Block party 7 p.m. Fri, arts festival Sat & Sun, parade 6 p.m. Sun
Special guests: Taylor Dayne and Martha Wash
Admission: Free
okcpride.org
June 21
Springfield, Mo.
Park Central Square (downtown @ Boonville & College)
Block party with vendors & live entertainment, noon-9 p.m.
Equality March, 11 a.m.
Admission: Free
glocenter.org
June 26-28
Omaha, NE
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Candlelight vigil: 8 p.m. Thurs @ Hanafan Park
Youth Pride Fest: 6 p.m. Fri @ Hanafan Park
Parade: 10 a.m. Sat @ Stinson Park
heartlandpride.org
June 28-29
St Louis, Mo.
Soldiers Memorial Park, 1315 Market St.
Festival, noon-9:30 p.m. Sat, 1-7:30 p.m. Sun
Parade 11 a.m. Sat, Market Street from 8th to 18th Street
Admission: Free
pridestl.org
June 28
Salina, Kan.
Ramada Conference Center, 1616 W. Crawford
Festival with live entertainment and nonprofit information booths, children’s activity area, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., free
Stonewall Pride Dance, 8 p.m.-midnight, $5
www.facebook.com/GayPrideSalina
Aug. 1-3
Eureka Springs, Ark.
Diversity Weekend: Events and attractions throughout the downtown area
Live music, parties, etc.
www.gayeurekasprings.com
Aug. 23
Waterloo, Iowa
300 block of W. Fourth St.
Street festival with vendors and live entertainment
Noon-midnight
Admission: Free
www.cedarvalleypride.com
Aug. 24
Columbia, Mo.
Fourth & Cherry St, from Deja Vu to Flatbranch Park
Street festival with vendors, entertainment, children’s activities
Admission Free (VIP tickets available)
www.midmopride.org
Sept. 12-13
Latino Gay Pride in
Kansas City
Fri, Sept. 12. Westport Road in Kansas City, Mo.
“Pa la Calle” Street Blast, 7 p.m.-midnight
Local DJs and performers, plus Jujubee from RuPaul’s Drag Race
Sat, Sept.13. Gillham Park. 37th and Gillham Road. 3-9 p.m. After-party at Industry Video Bar, 3700 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.
DJs, local performers, live bands, and Yara Sofia from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Admission: Free.