Pocatello and Rexburg prepare for Pride celebrations this weekend

EASTERN IDAHO, (KIFI) — Pocatello and Rexburg are preparing for Pride celebrations this weekend.

The first celebration will take place Saturday, June 20, as Gate City Pride returns to Pocatello with a family-friendly community event at Centennial Park.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature local businesses, food vendors, nonprofit organizations, live music, games, family activities and community resources.

"We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to host this event and proud to bring Pride back to our city," the Gate City Pride Board said in a statement. "This celebration is about community, inclusion, connection, and supporting the many local businesses, nonprofits, artists, and residents who make Southeast Idaho such a vibrant place to live."

Organizers say Centennial Park's playground, pavilion, open green spaces and shaded areas make it an ideal location for this year's celebration. Attendees are encouraged to bring water, stay hydrated and avoid entering the Portneuf River.

Also on June 20, Rexburg Pride will host its annual celebration at Porter Park from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event is expected to feature community activities and opportunities for LGBTQ+ residents, families and allies to gather and celebrate Pride Month.

The following weekend, Idaho Falls Pride will begin on Saturday, June 27, with the Idaho Falls Pride Parade beginning at 10 a.m. The parade will start at the Unitarian Universalist Church parking lot before making its way around the Greenbelt.

The Idaho Falls Pride Festival will follow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Greenbelt Bandshell Area. Organizers expect between 2,000 and 3,000 attendees throughout the day.

In a statement, Idaho Falls Pride said this year's theme focuses on unity and belonging.

"This Pride, we honor the truth that our strength grows from diversity — from the many roots that ground us, shape us, and carry us forward," organizers said. "Whether you define yourself by a label, many labels, or none at all — you belong."

Organizers across eastern Idaho say the events are designed to bring communities together while providing opportunities for education, celebration and connection throughout Pride Month.