“Showing up sends a powerful message: that Estes Park is a place where all are welcome,” said Castro, who is one of the guest speakers kicking off the fourth annual Pride in the Park in Estes Park. Castro is the education coordinator for Rocky Mountain Equality and they and Brandi Hardy from One Colorado will give a presentation titled “Pathways Together: Cultivating LGBTQIA+ Community Inclusion.” This event is free and will be held at the Historic Park Theatre, Saturday morning from 11 a.m. to noon.

Both organizations seek to promote equality and inclusion in Colorado. Castro will be sharing LGBTQIA+ core concepts such gender and sexuality and the importance of names and pronouns “in a way that’s realistic, accessible, and grounded in everyday life,” they said. “I’ll also talk about what it means to show up as a supporter right now, why that matters more than ever, and what that can look like in your daily life.”

“We’re witnessing a relentless attempt to erase the trans community alongside the illegal detainment of immigrants and U.S. citizens speaking out against injustice,” said Hardy. “The time to be loud is now.”

Hardy will speak about inclusion and how to bring about change in today’s climate, honoring diverse perspectives, and empowering individuals in the community.

From noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, Pride in the Park will be presenting two distinct activities in locations in downtown Estes Park. At the Slab, there will be live music by Stepmother Nature and Just Jill and community leaders such as Mayor Gary Hall, Rev. Ann Lantz, Lars Sage, and Jenn Bass will speak. Local vendors will offer their handmade goods such as jewelry, baked items, clothing, and crafts at the Slab as well.

On the George Hix Plaza on the Riverwalk, there will be a Family Activities and Resource Fair. Free arts and crafts while supplies last: rainbow keychains, earrings, necklaces, and affirming button pins will be available to make on site. A Pokémon-themed scavenger hunt called “Snare Sylveon” will delight younger attendees. More than a dozen local and regional organizations will host booths offering resources on wellness, inclusion, and support services.
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Adult parties on Saturday and Sunday

Lonigans Saloon will host two adult entertainment events in association with Pride in the Park. On Saturday night, the Official Pride Afterparty will feature an energetic night of drag, burlesque, and celebration featuring performers from across the state. Tickets are $15 and only those 18 and older will be admitted. Doors open at 7:30 and the show starts at 8 p.m.

On Sunday at noon, “back by popular demand” will be the Golden Girls Drag Queen Bingo, hosted by Khloe Katz in her farewell performance. Laughter, prizes, and “unforgettable sass guaranteed,” said Pride in the Park producer Jenn Bass. Tickets are $10 for those 18 and older; doors open at 11:30 a.m.

“Estes Park has always held deep roots for me,” said Bass, a long-time resident whose grandparents have been coming to town since the 1940s. She has been producing events and performances locally since 2009, “trying to add my own color and creativity to a town that’s meant so much to me,” Bass said.

But as much as she has always loved Estes Park, she also recognized that something was missing, “a space where our LGBTQ+ community could feel seen, celebrated, and truly belong. That’s what Pride in the Park was born from: a desire to create joy, visibility, and connection in a town that’s been a part of my story for generations.”

Bass didn’t do it alone, she has an amazing committee of “dedicated, passionate people who bring their own talents and hearts to the table,” she said. “Together, we’ve created something that has grown far beyond what I imagined. Each year, Pride becomes more vibrant, more inclusive, and more rooted in the soul of this community.”