Iowa
Pride events span across Iowa for 2025. Find ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ Iowans near you.
Pride flag colors, explained: Meanings behind the rainbow colors
The rainbow Pride flag has become a symbol for the LGBTQ+ community. Here’s how the flag came to be and what its colors represent.
Who’s ready to celebrate? June marks Pride Month and LGBTQ+ Iowans across the state will be celebrating their community’s history and culture with plenty of parades and events throughout the month.
Here’s where to find LGBTQ+ community events across Iowa in June.
(Events are organized in chronological order)
SUX Pride
Sioux City is celebrating Pride the first weekend of June, with a diversity march, main stage acts, vendor booths, food trucks, story times and more. Saturday night, all events are 21+.
When: 7 p.m. on June 5, 5 p.m. on June 6 and 11 a.m. on June 7
Where: Virginia and Fourth Street, Sioux City on June 5 and 6, Sioux City Convention Center on June 7
Quad Cities Pride Festival
The Quad Cities are bringing a weekend packed with entertainment. From a Pride Choir and dance party, to DJs and drag queens, or vendors and activities, they’ll have it all. Passes start at $10 for daily admission.
When: 4 p.m. on June 6, 12 p.m. on June 7
Where: Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Rock Island, Illinois
Capital City PrideFest
Capital City Pride is celebrating it 46th PrideFest in Des Moines. The three-day event is hosted in the heart of the Historic East Village and will feature local drag queens, DJ performances, full festival activities like games and vendors and much more.
When: 5 p.m. on June 6, 9 a.m. on June 7, 10 a.m. on June 8
Where: East Village of Des Moines
Dubuque Pride Festival
Dubuque is celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with performances, local vendors, food trucks and plenty of family-friendly fun at their festival. The event is free, and welcomes all ages.
When: 12-5 p.m. on June 7
Where: Town Clock Plaza, downtown Dubuque
Annual Ottumwa Pride Block Party
Celebrating its fifth year, the Ottomwa Pride Block Party is switching things up for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Soak in the pool and positive energy and celebrate love and inclusivity.
- When: 4-10 p.m. on June 7
- Where: The Beach Ottumwa
Bi-State Unity Pride Parade
The annual Quad City Unity Pride Parade is back. The parade links Iowa and Illinois by crossing the Mississippi River using the Centennial Bridge.
- When: 11 a.m., June 14
- Where: Starts at Chill Ice Cream & Eats (421 River Drive, Davenport)
Let Love Fly
Kites will soar over North Liberty in honor of Pride. There will also be activities and giveaways from community groups. All ages are welcome.
- When: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on June 14
- Where: Centennial Park, North Liberty
Des Moines People’s Pride
A community-based and centered event, Des Moines People’s Pride is back for its third year and will consist of local vendors, artists and performers. “The purpose of DSM People’s Pride is to be a safe, inclusive event for all people in our community, which means maintaining a cop-free space and requiring masking,” according to its website.
- When: Noon – 4 p.m., June 14
- Where: Water Works Park (2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines)
Burlington Pride in the Park
With more than 60 vendors, Burlington Pride in the Park is back and bigger than ever. There’s entertainment scheduled, a parade and pet parade and of course plenty of drag shows.
- When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on June 21
- Where: Crapo Park
Iowa City Pride and Parade
Iowa City’s Annual Pride Festival is back to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Join for vendors, activities, drag shows, a parade and more.
- When: Noon-10 p.m. on June 21
- Where: Downtown Iowa City
Oskaloosa Pride in the Alley
Oskaloosa is hosting Pride in the Alley. Join for a photo booth, puppets, vendors and more.
- When: 1-6 p.m. on June 21
- Where: 109 South Market Street, Oskaloosa
Ankeny Pride
Ankeny is celebrating its fourth annual pride at the end of the month with a talent show, rainbow run, pet parade and plenty of vendors. Find out more at ankenypride.org.
- When: 4-9 p.m., June 21
- Where: Southview Middle School (1020 Southwest Cherry Street, Ankeny)
Burlington Pride on the Riverfront
Burlington is also hosting a day full of community and support at the end of June. There will be mindfulness yoga, a parade, main stage entertainment and more.
- When: 8 a.m. on June 28, 9 a.m. on June 29
- Where: Burlington’s Great River Bridge riverfront
Valley Junction Pride
Valley Junction is hosting its second-ever Pride celebration this year, which will include a pet parade by Bone-A-Patreat, drag story time, a maker’s market, entertainment and plenty more.
- When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., June 29
- Where: 137 Fifth Street, West Des Moines
Know of an event we missed? Email iowaconnect@gannett.com for consideration.
Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.
Iowa
States including Iowa, Nebraska reach $150M settlement with Mercedes-Benz
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – A coalition of states including both Iowa and Nebraska reached a nearly $150 million settlement with Mercedes-Benz.
The states allege over 200,000 diesel vehicles were illegally equipped with devices designed to cheat on emissions tests between 2008 and 2016.
Mercedes allegedly hid the existence of these devices from regulators and people purchasing the vehicles.
Copyright 2025 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Iowa
See where Iowa State basketball ranks in the AP and coaches polls
Iowa State basketball is now ranked in the top three.
The Cyclone men improved to 13-0 this week after obliterating Long Beach State on Dec. 21 at Hilton Coliseum.
With the holiday week, Iowa State is off before returning for a home game Monday, Dec. 29, against Houston Christian at 7 p.m.
Here is a look at where the Cyclones stand in the latest college basketball rankings:
Iowa State rankings update
Iowa State moved up one spot to No. 3 in both the AP and Coaches Polls. The Cyclones were previously at No. 4.
USA TODAY Sports men’s college basketball coaches poll
Here is a look at the new USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll.
- Michigan
- Arizona
- Iowa State
- UConn
- Purdue
- Duke
- Gonzaga
- Houston
- Michigan State
- BYU
- Vanderbilt
- North Carolina
- Nebraska
- Louisville
- Alabama
- Texas Tech
- Kansas
- Arkansas
- Illinois
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Florida
- Iowa
- Georgia
- USC
Others receiving votes
St. John’s 32; Kentucky 32; Seton Hall 20; Utah State 15; Auburn 10; California 9; UCLA 8; Saint Louis 8; LSU 6; Yale 4; Oklahoma State 3; Saint Mary’s 1; Indiana 1; Clemson 1;
AP Poll
Here is a look at the new Associated Press poll.
- Arizona
- Michigan
- Iowa State
- UConn
- Purdue
- Duke
- Gonzaga
- Houston
- Michigan State
- BYU
- Vanderbilt
- North Carolina
- Nebraska
- Alabama
- Texas Tech
- Louisville
- Kansas
- Arkansas
- Tennessee
- Illinois
- Virginia
- Florida
- Georgia
- USC
- Iowa
Others receiving votes
Kentucky 78, Seton Hall 49, Auburn 39, St. John’s 23, California 19, LSU 17, UCLA 13, Clemson 9, Miami (Ohio) 6, Utah St. 5, Arizona St 5, Indiana 4, Miami 4, Saint Louis 3, Belmont 2, Baylor 1, Oklahoma St. 1, UCF 1, NC State 1.
Iowa
Jaxx DeJean, brother of Hawkeye icon Cooper, commits to Iowa football
Video: Kirk Ferentz on Iowa football’s QB situation post-Mark Gronowski
Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz meets with media on Dec. 18, 2025
Class of 2027 prospect Jaxx DeJean, the younger brother of former Iowa football star Cooper DeJean, has committed to the Hawkeyes.
Jaxx DeJean made the announcement via social media on Dec. 21.
DeJean, listed at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, committed to Iowa as a tight end.
DeJean is a 3-star prospect and the fifth-ranked player in the state of Iowa’s 2027 high school class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
As a junior at OABCIG, DeJean showed versatility offensively. He led the team with 36 receptions for 461 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing for 207 yards and three touchdowns. DeJean also passed for 149 yards and two touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, DeJean recorded 18.5 total tackles and three interceptions.
DeJean was named honorable mention All-Iowa by the Des Moines Register.
The Odebolt product earned offers from UNLV, Kansas State, Michigan, UAB and Iowa.
DeJean has become a well-known last name in the Hawkeye and NFL communities.
Cooper DeJean became an Iowa legend in three seasons with the Hawkeyes, starring as a defensive back and punt returner. As a junior, DeJean was Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year.
DeJean’s story rose to new heights once he got to the NFL. He somewhat surprisingly slipped to the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but was scooped up by the Philadelphia Eagles, which ultimately proved beneficial for both sides. As a rookie, DeJean picked off a pass from megastar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and returned it for a touchdown in Super Bowl LIX to help the Eagles take down the Chiefs.
Before the 2024 NFL Draft, DeJean commented on the recruitment of brother Jaxx.
“I want him to make his own decision,” Cooper said of Jaxx in March of 2024. “If he could be here, that’d be awesome. We’ve all grown up Iowa fans, but I’ll definitely be giving my pitch, for sure.”
Jaxx DeJean is the third prospect to commit to Iowa’s 2027 recruiting class this month.
4-star Bettendorf linebacker Gavin Stecker announced his commitment to the Hawkeyes on Dec. 9. Less than one week later, Pleasantville High School Braylon Bingham also committed to Iowa as a linebacker. And now, DeJean becomes Iowa’s first offensive commitment in the 2027 recruiting class.
All three members of Iowa’s 2027 recruiting class are in-state products.
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
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