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.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — Several hundred Iowans turned out for the Republican Party of Iowa’s Lincoln Dinner fundraiser Friday night that served largely as a tribute to Gov. Kim Reynolds, the state’s first female governor who is retiring after her term expires in January.
One of granddaughters described Reynolds as her “best friend,” a moment that brought tears on stage.
Two of Reynolds’ daughters praised their mother’s work ethic and commitment to their family.
A video played during the evening included a salute for Reynolds from Terry Branstad, the former governor who had chosen Reynolds as his running mate.
Republican governors from Nebraska, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Georgia also offered their compliments for Reynolds in videos.
So did Trump administration officials including U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins .
Reynolds, first elected lt. governor in 2010, became governor in 2017 after Branstad resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to China.
Copyright 2026 Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau. All rights reserved.
SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa (KTIV) – Gelita USA held an open house Friday, July 10, to celebrate the completion of a new wastewater treatment facility at its plant near Sergeant Bluff, marking the end of years of regulatory violations tied to its discharge into the Missouri River.
Gelita manufactures gelatin and collagen, ingredients used in food, medicine, and supplements. That manufacturing process produces large amounts of contaminated wastewater containing proteins, fats, and ammonia, a substance categorized as a toxic pollutant.
According to an Iowa Department of Natural Resources sampling inspection from March 2025, the plant was processing nearly double its design capacity. Before the upgrade, the Iowa State lab documented black water in the Missouri River near the facility’s discharge site. The Iowa DNR found Gelita had exceeded ammonia limits multiple times.
The report said that at the outfall to the Missouri River, Iowa DNR Tom Ross observed that the effluent had a black coloration. Roos requested additional testing at this location.
“Following the inspection, the discharge location on the Missouri River was visited. During the visit, the effluent at the river appeared to be a dark color, much different then the effluent observed at the treatment facility. It was explained during the visit, the color of the discharge to the river was a violation of 567-61.3(2) ‘c’, lowa Administrative Code, which states that all surface waters shall be free from materials attributable to wastewater discharges or agricultural practices producing objectionable color, odor, or other aesthetically objectionable conditions.”
Jeff Tolsma, General Manager of Gelita USA, said the upgrade was the result of an extended dialogue with regulators and upgraded technology.
The new facility includes ultraviolet disinfection, a feature the old plant did not have. The UV light treatment damages the DNA of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms before discharge, improving the company’s compliance with Iowa DNR standards.
Company, regulators call it a turning point
“We met with the EPA and the Iowa DNR probably 18 months, two years ago. It’s been a long dialogue with them, but they were great partners, great to work with,” Tolsma said. “And this wastewater treatment plant allows us to basically meet those new regulations that have been put in place. I think what is significant is that this actually brings us forward from a compliance standpoint for a long-term sustainable operation.”
The Iowa DNR said it will continue monitoring the facility to ensure ongoing compliance.
Gelita USA has operated in the Siouxland area for approximately 30 years and employs around 200 people.
Want to get the latest news and weather from Siouxland’s News Source? Follow these links to download our KTIV News app and our First Alert Weather app.
Copyright 2026 KTIV. All rights reserved.
-
News22 minutes agoUS congressman says he was detained by armed Israeli settlers in occupied West Bank
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoNew details emerge in fatal stabbing of boy in El Monte
-
Detroit, MI2 hours ago1 dead, 1 injured after two-vehicle crash at Collingwood and Belleterre in Detroit
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours ago4 arrested, 3 cited after brawl following Giants vs. Rockies game at Oracle Park
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoMark Cuban takes legal action against Dallas Mavericks ownership over potential new arena deal
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoSouth Florida Dirt: A timeline of the Vacchi vs. Stern legal battle
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoTall Ships begin historic Boston parade of sails
-
Denver, CO3 hours agoLakers Proposed to Land Peyton Watson in Massive 9-Player Blockbuster Trade
