CENTRAL IOWA – The big one may be over, but another 20 events, at least, remain in central Iowa this month to recognize Pride, involving not only Des Moines but also Chelsea, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Montour, and West Des Moines.
Several of those upcoming events are hosted by Capital City Pride, the nonprofit that coordinated this past weekend’s Capital City Pride Fest, Iowa’s largest annual Pride event.
Even after the Pride month of June is over, central Iowans will have at least two major Pride events to enjoy. Here’s the rundown of what’s coming up for the center of Iowa, by category:
Pride Festivals
June 15: Des Moines People’s Pride, at Waterworks Park starting at noon, is coordinated by the Des Moines Black Liberation Movement and offers a Pride celebration “away from cops and corporations.”
June 22: Ankeny Pride and Fort Dodge Pride These two central Iowa cities are both celebrating their third annual Pride events. Fort Dodge kicks its annual festival off in the morning with a walk and a day of fun that continues into the evening. Then at 4 p.m., Ankeny’s Pride Festival begins. Also free, this family-friendly event is slated to feature kids’ fun, magic shows, a pet parade, a talent showcase, and more. Find this event at the Ankeny Market & Pavilion.
June 30: Valley Junction Pride, the first-ever Pride event for West Des Moines, takes place at Railroad Park starting at noon.
Books
June 18: the Capital City Pride Book Club deles into Ocean Vuong’s 2019 book “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous,” a coming-out story that spent six weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.
June 22: Pride with The Little Book. Start the day with story-telling by Des Moines actor Craig Peterson, and end it with the artist Cat Rocketship. In between, you can enjoy Drag Storytime by The Priory of the Wilde Rose Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. All day long, help raise money for the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund.
Film
June 12-14: Queer Futures Catch four short films that delve into the topics of body positivity, gender-affirming healthcare, nonbinary siblinghood in ballroom culture, and the history of an anonymous LGBTQ+ hotline. Choose from four different showtimes over three days at The Fleur Cinema and Cafe.
June 13: “The Last American Gay Bar” Get a peek at this new OutTV series chronicling the deep history of The Blazing Saddle, thought to be he Midwest’s oldest LGBTQ+ bar. This is likely to be sold-out by Thursday; watch The Blazing Saddle Facebook page for updates on other chances to get a peek at this upcoming series.
June 14-16: “Break The Game“ Learn about the experience of transgender gamer Narcissa Wright during her coming-out and resulting fan experience. One of four Pride-themed film events at The Fleur.
June 22: “The Craft” and “The Covenant” These two cult classics each feature friend groups bonding over supernatural forces. This late-night event is also at The Fleur.
June 26: “But I’m a Cheerleader” This 1999 popular romcom is about a high school cheerleader whose parents become convinced she’s a lesbian and send her off to camp.
Nature
June 11: Marshalltown Pride Potluck This day-long event at the Windy Goat Acres Farm Sanctuary, in Chelsea between Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, offers hiking, communing with animals, and more. all day starting at 2 p.m.
June 16: Mingle in the May Apples: Guitarist-vocalist Paige Clouse will grace this gathering in a “sacred space” northeast of Des Moines.Â
Sports
June 21: Let Love Serve: This first-ever volleyball tournament is still accepting team entries. Plus, you can choose from “recreational” and “intermediate/competitive.” Registration is $100 per team, with proceeds going to the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund. Sign up here.
June 25: Rolling Into Pride. This is a great family-friendly event, at Skateland Des Moines.
June 28: Pride Night with the Iowa Cubs This annual tradition features not only baseball and fundraising for Capital City Pride, but also the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus.
More Pride in June
June 12: After-Dark Wednesdays Dance the night away in the name of Pride, at Nightingale Cocktails.
June 19: Pride Night with Pups. Bring your vaccinated pup to the park and enjoy some brews to honor Pride.
June 21: Trivia at the Tree PeaceTree Brewing provides a night of trivia (with prizes) featuring questions rooted in LGBTQ+ history.
June 22: Pottery Peepshow. Get into some steamy art and burlesque performances at Five Monkeys in West Des Moines.
June 23: Pride Affirming Service in Oskaloosa. St. Paul Congregational UCC was an open and affirming congregation 11 years, long before many, and it’s inviting central Iowa to celebrate.
Pride After June in Central Iowa
July 13: Marshalltown Pride in the Park
Sept. 14: Ames PrideFest
Find details and more Pride events throughout Iowa and Illinois at The Real Mainstream’s LGBTQ+ Pride calendars. Find more Central Iowa events in general here.
