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QUAD CITIES — With more family-oriented events than ever before, and especially all kinds of meal events, the Quad Cities area is seeing its greatest number of Pride season events ever this year.

So far, 20 events are planned by five main groups through June 29, covering games, live music, vendor fairs, art, drag, film, education, exercise — and food.

The events kick off with a new May 21 Family Picnic; include the two big fests June 2-3 and June 17; and end with a night at the ballpark June 29. In between are another 14 events, most of which have free admission. The events are happening all throughout the Quad Cities in both states, including Davenport, Moline and Rock Island.

QC Pride Parade 2022 in Moline featuring MCC of the Quad Cities

For the second year in a row, the QC Pride Parade will take place in Moline. This year’s parade is June 17, and you’re encouraged to sign up even if you don’t have a float and just want to walk and wave.

Quad Cities Pride events mostly free or benefitting nonprofits

New additions to this year’s Pride events include many more opportunities to share a Pride month meal. You can choose among four different Pride meals: a free outdoor picnic May 21, an up-scale multi-course meal June 10, a mid-priced educational dinner June 15, and a free potluck June 17.

Both of the big festivals happening June 2-3 and June 17 are putting out extra efforts to attract more food vendors this year, too.

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Also new this year: a chance to share spoken word, comedy, live performance or something else at Open Mic Night May 19, and a possible interfaith gathering June 2 before the big festival.

Some things that are the same this year: drag shows are happening at both big festivals June 2-3 and June 17. Rock Island’s waterfront Schwiebert Park is home to the big June 2-3 event for the second straight year, and Moline is home for the second straight year to the annual Pride Parade, and third straight year to the Pride Party at Bass Street Landing.

Here’s a rundown of all the Quad Cities area LGBTQ+ Pride events planned so far, with links to where you can find information you need on each event:

Pride Party at Bass Street Landing 2022

Last year’s Pride Party at Bass Street Landing packed the courtyard across the street from The Project of the Quad Cities in Moline for almost 12 hours. This year, the party happens June 17.

Groups leading Pride events are TPQC, QC Pride, Figge Art Museum, Clock Inc. and QCPA

The run of events involves these five main groups:

  • The Project of the Quad Cities: this nonprofit provides physical and mental health services to LGBTQ+, BIPOC and other marginalized populations in 20 counties in Iowa and Illinois. It’s offering five events through the Quad Cities this Pride season, including its premier Pride event June 17, Pride at Bass Street Landing.
  • QC Pride: this nonprofit started the first QC Pride celebrations years ago and still coordinates the annual Pride Parade, also happening June 17. QC Pride also helps present a film series at the Figge Art Museum.
  • Figge Art Museum: in addition to hosting all kinds of multi-cultural arts and education events, the nonprofit Figge collaborates with Clock Inc. and has hosted Pride Month film showings for years.
  • Clock Inc.: this nonprofit provides counseling, support groups and social opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth throughout the Quad Cities area. Clock holds at least three Pride events this year, including a Pride Paint Night June 19.
  • Quad Cities Pride Alliance: this is the rebranded version of the for-profit Quad Cities Pride Festivals that has coordinated the Quad Cities Pride Festival June 2-3 since about 2018. The group says it’s applied to become a nonprofit and expects to receive confirmation any day of its new charity status. QCPA also plans to hold more events throughout the year from here on.

Also helping out to coordinate the events: the nonprofit groups Quad Citians Affirming Diversity (QCAD), One Human Family QCA, Progressive Action for the Common Good, MCC of the Quad Cities, Quad Cities Pride in Memory, and Free Mom Hugs-Quad Cities.

Quad Cities Pride Fest 2022 in Schwiebert Park in Rock Island

Last year’s Quad Cities Pride Fest drew an estimated 2,000 people to the event each day, organizers said, the largest attendance ever. They hope for an even larger crowd this year at the June 2-3 event.

Deadlines coming to sign up as sponsors, vendors, parade entries, runners

Key dates are coming fast for those who want to sign up as more than attendees or observers.

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Friday, May 19: last day to sign up as a sponsor for Quad Cities Pride Festival through the Quad Cities Pride Alliance. Also, last day to sign up for the early-bird vendor rate ($125 to $150). Rate increases to $175 May 20.

Fri., May 26: last day to register as a sponsor for the Red Ribbon Gala, or order tickets to attend.

Thurs., June 1: Early deadline to sign up for Pride Parade entry, though entries will be accepted until day before the June 17 parade if space allows.

Mon., June 12: last day to sign up as a sponsor or vendor ($40 a table) for Pride Party at Bass Street Landing. Also, last day to sign up for the June 15 dinner at The Current.

Sat., June 24: last day to sign up to walk, run or stroll in the Pride 5K Walk Run and Roll. $25-40.

For a look back at TRM’s coverage of previous Quad Cities Pride celebrations, check out our  2022 Photo Gallery of Quad Cities Pride Events or the 2021 Photo Gallery of Quad Cities Fall Pride.  If you have a Quad Cities Pride event to add to this list, email reachus@therealmainstream.com.