Variety of events planned to celebrate Pride Month in June. Mid-MO PrideFest set for September

While the Mid-Missouri PrideFest is not on the calendar until September, that is not stopping the region's LGBTQ+ community and its allies from holding Pride Month-related events in June.

Mid-MO PrideFest will be held noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 24 and 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 25. The Mid-MO PrideFest committee also aims to have its first-ever Pride Parade at noon Sept. 25 downtown on Broadway.

"It is going to be the best event ever. Ragtag Cinema is our official partner for the parade. It has been a long time coming," said Janet Davis, PrideFest committee co-chair. "There are so many people already interested."

PrideFest continues to grow and get better each year, Davis, who is excited to have Pride return at normal capacity, said. There was no Pride in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and 2021 had reduced event capacity.

"We have got such amazing support. We already have 56 sponsors," she said. "I cannot believe the level of excitement people have."

Vendor space is doubled and vendors will be able to be housed inside Rose Music Hall as well as on the street outside the venue. The vendor fair will feature a health pavilion, which will include providers such as Spectrum Health, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Service and University of Missouri Health Care, to provide vaccinations and STD testing, among other resources.

June became Pride Month after repeated police raids at the Stonewall Inn in New York. The bar's LGBTQ+ patrons fought back in the last days of that month in 1969. Pride parades started the next year commemorating the riots and as a continued push for equality and visibility.

The Mid-MO PrideFest committee opts to hold its pride later in the year, rather than in June to be able to welcome Stephens College, Columbia College and University of Missouri students. The dates were bumped from August to September because of this as well, along with a hope for cooler temperatures.

A survey last April included responses from students who felt the August dates were too soon after move-in to be able to participate on top of all the other start of school year preparations, Davis said, noting very few students have attended in years past at the family-friendly Pride event.

Here is what is happening for in June for Pride Month

This is not a comprehensive listing of events. If there are any Pride-related events happening that are not listed here, please contact Charles Dunlap at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com with updates.

Pride Month Drag Party Bus

Nclusion+, the Columbia-based LGBTQ social club and production company focused on community education, entertainment and media, will host its Pride Month Drag Party Bus starting 6 p.m. June 2. Participants should park at Arch and Column Pub at 1301 Business Loop 70 E.

This 21 and older event is limited to 20 participants. Tickets must be purchased in advance. The evening's entertainers are Aria Queer and Artemis Grey.

The bar-hopping evening will visit Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Pressed Rooftop Bar and Lounge, Level Up Entertainment and will return to Arch and Column to finish out the evening with a Pride Dance Party.

PrideFest Youth Pageant; Pride Dance Party

Pride events start early in the month with the PrideFest Youth Pageant starting 6 p.m. June 3 at The Blue Note. Doors open 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $10. Those 12 and under have free admission to this all-age event.

Teens ages 13-17 can enter to compete for the title of Jr. Pride Royalty.

A Pride dance party will follow the crowning starting 9 p.m. and is limited to those 18 and older. DJ Boogie B will spin tracks featuring the music of Lil Nas X and Dolly Parton. This is a separately ticket event from the youth pageant with doors opening 8 p.m.

The Blue Note is a cashless venue.

LGBTQ+ Sunday Skate

Nclusion+ is hosting a ticketed roller skating event 2-4 p.m. June 5 at Level Up Entertainment at 2300 Bernadette Drive, Suite 228.

Tickets are sold in advance and at the door.

"During this private skate experience you're welcome to be yourself, hold hands with those you love, show off your sweet skills, and dress in your coolest clothing without fear of judgement," the event description reads.

This is an all-ages, family-friendly event. Mask usage is encouraged and will be available upon request.

The Sunday Skate is part of a series of skate events. Future events are planned Aug. 21, Oct. 30 and Dec. 18.

Downtown Drag Stars

Nclusion+ will host its regular drag show, Downtown Drag Stars on June 9 at Pressed Rooftop Bar and Lounge at 803 E. Walnut St.

The 21 and older ticketed event will again be a St. Louis invasion of drag acts, according to the event description.

Entertainers include Tabbi Kat, Stephanie Six Trombones, Brother Daniel, and Columbia's own KayCee.

Doors open 7:30 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m.

Rainbow Ride

A group of LGBTQ cycling enthusiasts have come together to raise seed money for The Center Project's LGBTQ emergency fund.

The event starts 9:30 a.m. June 11 at Peace Park and goes until 2 p.m. The ride starts 10 a.m. to noon on the MKT trail from the park to the Scott Boulevard Boulevard Station and back, a total 10-mile journey.

Registration is open for the ride, with a suggested donation of $25. Money raised will go toward helping LGBTQ individuals in crisis situations, such as sudden homelessness.

"I hope we'll have a whole bunch of people riding, walking or just hanging out at the park to celebrate pride and to benefit The Center Project and build community," said event organizer David Tager earlier in May, who also is on The Center Project's development committee.

Breakfast items are provided by Goldie's Bagels and Fretboard Coffee. Lunch is provided by Pizza Tree. The first 50 registrants will receive a movie voucher from Ragtag Cinema.

Trivia & Drag Brunch; Gayest Pet Contest and Youth Talent Show; Drag Queen Story Hour

Nclusion+ will hold a Trivia and Drag Brunch event starting 11 a.m. June 12 at Dogmaster Distillery at 210 St. James St. and is hosted by Venus O'Hara.

The ticketed event includes four rounds of trivia and a drag show. An add-on cost includes a brunch meal of breakfast pizza. Vegan and vegetarian options are available. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Food tickets close 48 hours in advance of the event. Dogmaster takes cash or credit for drinks.

It is an all-ages, family-friendly event. Doors open 10:45 a.m.

The Mid-MO PrideFest committee encourages the community to visit Rose Music Hall noon to 3 p.m. June 12 for the Gayest Pet Contest and Youth Talent Show.

"Bring your furry, feathered, and scaled and teen friends to show off their pride and showcase their talent," the event description reads.

Nclusion+ will host Drag Queen Story hour 1 to 3 p.m. June 12 at Dandy Lion Cafe at 102 S. Main St. in Ashland.

While this event is free, space is limited, so registration is required to secure a seat. The story hour is hosted by Autumn Equinox and friends.

Queer Art Show reception

In honor of the Stonewall uprising, the Columbia Art League is hosting its first-ever Queer Art Show in its South Gallery. The show opens May 31 and runs through July 2.

Submissions for the show are accepted through Saturday. A reception is planned starting 5:30 p.m. June 16 at the gallery.

Visitors should expect "art that escapes definition; art that’s strange and soft and strong and unconquerable; art courageous enough to imagine what the world could be, and bold enough to create and share it with us," according to the show description.

Show organizer and CAL Education and Outreach Director Mary Sandbothe is excited at the prospect to connect with other LGBTQ artists.

"I am really excited because we have been getting a lot of new folks submitting to our art shows recently, so I am expecting that there will be some folks where I haven't seen their work before," Sandbothe said.

Sandbothe started at CAL last August and a Pride Month-related showing is something she wanted to bring to the league.

Pride Wine and Dine

Nclusion+ will hold its inaugural Pride Wine and Dine drag show 7 p.m. June 22 at Les Bourgeois Vineyards with a 21 and older happy hour.

The all-ages drag show starts 8 p.m. and will welcome entertainers Faye King, Venus O'Hara, KayCee and Kendra Crush, who are all pageant title holders. The event is hosted by Miss Gay United States at Large Roxxy Malone.

PrideFest Pageant

The Mid-Mo PrideFest committee will close out June with its Pridefest Pageant, which will select royalty for the September Pride events.

Candidates will vie for King, Queen and Regent of Pride titles.

The ticketed event starts 6 p.m. June 24 at CBO Event Center on Elk Park Drive.

Charles Dunlap covers courts, public safety and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Please consider subscribing to support vital local journalism.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Here are the Pride Month events happening in June in Boone County