Pride in the Park returns larger than ever on Saturday at Salem’s Riverfront Park

Pride in the Park will return to Riverfront Park on Saturday at 10 a.m. larger than ever.

After celebrating online during the pandemic, the celebration returned in person for the first time last year with nearly 50 booths and a dozen drag queens and open-mic performers. It was a number that Zachery Cardoso, president of Salem Capital Pride, set out to beat. Cardoso, who uses he and they pronouns, said when they ran for reelection this year he warned everyone he wanted the next gathering to feature at least 100 booths.

"I told everyone, 'I want there to be at least 100 vendors. If you're not ready for that, don't vote for me,' and I got voted in. So that's what we did," Cardoso said.

Extended and expanded celebration

The annual Pride celebration for Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley will feature more live music and performances this year. It will have at least 140 booths with vendors, artists and nonprofit organizations to check out. Most of the booths are small businesses owned by members of the LGBTQ community, Cardoso said. There will be a food court in the Vendor Plaza by the parking lot with several food trucks and a wine garden.

An artists and crafts alley will feature a large display with local community art.

Cardoso said a grant from the city of Salem allowed them to waive vendor booth fees this year. It's one of the reasons the event was able to expand so much.

"We could remove that barrier of access for our vendors," Cardoso said. "That was exciting."

Kids can check out the "kids corner," hosted by Oregon State University Extension programs. The area will have coloring books, beehive education, insect identification, bird feeders and several other free activities.

The event will also offer a free vaccine clinic. Anyone 18 and older who is eligible for a monkeypox vaccine and omicron booster shot for the COVID-19 virus can get one for free. Attendees can also receive free rapid STI and HIV testing.

Organizers extended the hours of the event this year until 6 p.m.

"It was a decision we made as a board based on feedback," Cardoso said. A four hour event limited the opportunity for people to attend and for vendors to sell.

"We're happy to help our community in that way," they said.

Cardoso said the organization also worked on make the event more accessible. There will be American Sign Language interpreters on stage and booths will be set up against the concrete to ensure anyone with a mobility aid is able to navigate the event.

Preparing for a safe, secure event

The organization also addressed concerns about security at the event. There has been no history of violence or disruption previously, but organizers want to be prepared, especially after other events, like Keizer Pride in May, were forced to scale back or close. A private security agency will provide more security than last year, Cardoso said. Volunteers have also been trained in de-escalation.

In addition to preparing for safety concerns, Salem Capital Pride is also working on preparing to celebrate the local LGBTQ community year-round.

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One of the Pride booths will be preparing for National Coming Out Day. Anyone wanting to participate can share a coming out story or any positive story about their experience as part of the LGBTQ community. The videos will be compiled and shared at the organization's National Coming Out Day celebration on Oct. 11.

Cardoso is excited to see everything come together. His hope is that the event will one day grow to take over the entire park and that they will continue hosting events throughout the year to celebrate the community.

For example, Salem Capital Pride already partnered with Movies in the Park to show "Love, Simon" this summer, Cardoso said. They're working on featuring another LGBTQ-focused film next year. Work toward a "Queer Prom" is also underway. The group also hopes to bring back a hiking group Cardoso said was once active in the '70s and '80s.

For a schedule and information, go to salemcapitalpride.org.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Pride in the Park returns larger than ever at Salem’s Riverfront Park