Communities across the region are gearing up to mark Pride Month this June, with festivals planned in Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Rexburg celebrating LGBTQ+ residents and the allies who support them.

In Pocatello, Gate City Pride is inviting the community to celebrate a glamorous day of positivity and joy when the annual festival returns — at a new location — on June 20. The colorful, family-friendly festival will be hosted at Centennial Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new venue offers amenities including a playground, pavilion seating, open green spaces and shaded trees.

The event will feature vendors and local small businesses, live music, entertainment, games, activities and opportunities for community members to connect with nonprofit organizations and resources.

Also on June 20, Rexburg Pride will hold its annual celebration at Porter Park from 3 to 8 p.m. The event’s schedule includes a drum circle, a Unity Walk around the park, live music from Lili Wintyr, Sam Larsen and the SE Idaho Queer Choir Collective and an evening dance party. More information is available at rexburgpride.org.

Idaho Falls Pride will wrap up the region’s Pride season with a parade and festival on June 27. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church parking lot, with the route going around the greenbelt and back to the festival site at the Idaho Falls Greenbelt Bandshell Area. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature live music, interactive performances and vendors. An 18-and-older drag show is scheduled for the evening of June 26 at the Elks Lodge. For more information visit idahofallspride.com.

Every June, pride festivals are held worldwide to celebrate and honor the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history and to recognize the unique aspects of queer culture and community. Pride Month coincides with the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests that began in 1969.

“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. “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.”

Organized by a newly formed board of directors, Gate City Pride has consolidated its nonprofits and community programming under one umbrella.

Gate City Pride said it is especially excited to showcase local organizations that provide important services to area residents while creating opportunities for community members to meet directly with nonprofit representatives, learn about available programs and strengthen connections across the region.