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.
More and more, it is looking like playing on the offensive line for the Iowa Hawkeyes is becoming a one-way ticket to the NFL. Offensive line coach George Barnett is among the best in the business, and his 2026 offensive line should continue the trend of strong play for the Hawkeyes.
This past NFL Draft saw the Hawkeyes send Logan Jones, Gennings Dunker, and Beau Stephens to the next level as the latest successes. They come on the heels of Tyler Linderbaum and Tristan Wirfs, two of the best offensive linemen in the NFL.
Iowa is now looking to continue the offensive line prowess as it hosts a highly touted recruit, as they prepare for more future departures to the NFL. Two starters on the offensive line this season, Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck, have each generated NFL buzz, and if history tells us anything, NFL teams like Iowa offensive linemen.
Iowa Hawkeyes Hosting Four-Star Caleb Johnson
While it may be summer for the current roster with training camp approaching, the recruiting trail doesn’t sleep for the coaching staff. Some of the latest news for Iowa’s class of 2027 is the upcoming visit that Caleb Johnson, a four-star offensive lineman, will take to Iowa City.
Johnson, a product of Noblesville High School in Noblesville, Indiana, is coming off a string of visits to high-profile schools such as Indiana and Michigan State, with a visit to the Hawkeyes on deck.
Iowa may have a slight inside track on Johnson, as it was on Johnson’s recruiting trail earlier than some in the process, offering him back in January of 2026.
Caleb Johnson Bio
High School: Noblesville
Hometown: Noblesville, Indiana
Class: 2027
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 260
Recruiting Rankings: No. 2 recruit in Indiana, No. 22 offensive tackle, No. 248 recruit overall
Other Offers: Indiana, Michigan State, Missouri, Cincinnati, Auburn, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, UNC, Oklahoma State, Purdue, UCLA, and others
Analysis: At just 260 pounds, Iowa would be able to mold Johnson in the weight room and developmental program, which is one of the best in the country. In his tape from high school, Johnson is seen playing snaps at center, guard, and tackle, which offers versatility from the jump.
Iowa Football 2027 Recruiting Class
The Iowa Hawkeyes currently sit with the No. 29 overall 2027 recruiting class as things stand right now. The Hawkeyes have landed 10 commits for the 2027 class, two of them being offensive linemen.
Reilly Newman from West Chester Ohio, a three-star recruit, and Nate Brenneman from Rock Valley, Iowa, another three-star recruit have given their commitments to the Hawkeyes.
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With the I-Cubs trailing 1-0 in the second inning, Scott Kingery singled home a run and another came home on a sacrifice fly from
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek spent Saturday campaigning across Eastern Iowa as part of his “Pushing for Change” get-out-the-vote tour.
Turek, a state representative and two-time Paralympic gold medalist, held canvass launches and door-knocking events in Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, and North Liberty as he works to build support ahead of Iowa’s upcoming primary election.
The candidate is seeking Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat and says his campaign is centered on issues affecting families across the state. Among his top priorities are affordability, housing, health care access, immigration reform, and support for working families.
“I think it’s important for people to hear directly from their candidates,” Turrek said. “Tuesday is election day, so trying to get all over the state and talk to people directly about this generational chance that we’ve got to change this state and change this country.”
Turek is one of two Democratic candidates who will appear on the June primary ballot.
“There’s nothing like a direct interaction with voters, face-to-face on their stairs,” Turek said.
Voters interested in learning more about Turek and his campaign can watch Iowa’s News Now’s full Beyond the Podium interview on the Iowa’s News Now YouTube channel.
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