Pride on the Riverfront 2025

THANK YOU!

To everyone who participated in, attended, and supported Pride on the Riverfront 2025: THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. Your energy, love, and commitment made this year’s celebration truly incredible. From the performers and volunteers to the those who showed up in solidarity, you are the reason this event continues to grow and sparkle.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s Pride (mark your calendar for the weekend of Saturday, June 27th!), but we have a lot to do in the meantime. Stay proud, stay connected, and stay strong. We couldn’t do this without you! 

2025 Recap

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8-8:30am Morning Mindfulness

Kick off your day with a free, invigorating, and inclusive stretch sesh on the Memorial Auditorium lawn with Kalioke Movement Lounge.

No workout attire or experience necessary -- come as you are. 

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10am Parade Begins

Meet us on Jefferson Street for Burlington's Pride Parade!

We encourage all 2SLGBTQ+ community members, allies, and fur babies to join the procession as we make our way to the riverfront festival.

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11am Festival Commencement Ceremony

Join us at the Port of Burlington Main Stage to officially kick off our Pride on the Riverfront Festival by crowning our 2025 grand marshals and digging into what Pride is really all about.

Cali Wilson

11:30am-12pm Cali Wilson

Cali Wilson is a singer/songwriter based in Nashville, TN, originally from Mount Pleasant, IA, who began teaching herself guitar at 16, influenced by Missy Higgins, Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlile, and Amy Winehouse.

Cali was featured on Radio Lia's nationally popular radio show as one of the Top 4 in the Big Break contest, released her first EP titled Love and War in October of 2016, and in 2019, made it to the Top 13 on NBC's The Voice where she performed live in front of millions on national tv, mentored by Taylor Swift, Darius Rucker, and Blake Shelton.

Roxi Manacoohie

12:10-12:40pm Roxi Manacoochi

Step into the vibrant world of Roxi Manacoochi, a captivating live vocal female impersonator hailing from Austin, MN. For over a decade, Roxi has been enchanting audiences with her dynamic lounge shows, brimming with the unforgettable sounds of the 1950s through the 1980s. 
 
Since bursting onto the scene in 2009, Roxi has shared the stage with legendary acts such as The Shirelles, Dee Dee Sharp, The Temptations, and Bill Haley’s Comets. Her remarkable talent has landed her appearances on iconic shows like Hee-Haw’s Traveling Tour, Music of the Grand Ole Opry, The Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom, and Vegas: The Stage Musical. 
 
 Joined by her fabulous live band and backup singers, The Aquanettes, Roxi has traversed the country, bringing her infectious energy and dazzling performances to audiences far and wide. Now, she's thrilled to return to Burlington to celebrate Pride Weekend in style!
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12:50-1:20pm Joshua Allen

Joshua Allen is a singer/songwriter based in the Peoria, Illinois area, but spent his formative years with his family in Burlington.
 
The queer son of an evangelical preacher,
Joshua's 2024 debut album "Catharsis" is an emotional exploration of personal religious exodus, and a celebration of queer love in the shadow of a steeple.
Sangromantics Band

1:30-2pm August Gonzalez & Sangromantics

Burlington native August Gonzalez, frontwoman of the numetal band Sangromantics, fuses hip-hop, indie-pop, and pop-punk to create a distinct and genre-defying style.

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2pm Raffle Drawing and Festival End

Find the Queermittee members selling raffle tickets at the parade and festival for your chance to take home half the pot! $1 for 1 ticket, $5 for 6, $10 for 15 or $20 for an arm's length! Must be present at the drawing to win.

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7pm Free Screening of But I'm A Cheerleader

Enjoy a campy queer classic at The Capitol Theater for free! The perfect end to Pride on the Riverfront for those who aren't 21 or prefer a quieter alternative to the Pride After Dark Drag Show.
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8-11pm Pride After Dark Drag Show

See you back at Burlington Auditorium for Pride After Dark, a drag show and dance party all in one PLUS a few adult-only vendors. Doors open at 7pm. This event is 21+ with valid ID and clear bag required to enter. 
 
Get your tickets today at btowntix.com

 

Sunday, June 29th

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9am Big Gay Brunch

Join us at Wake n Bake for a queer community get together! Open to all ages.
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12pm Free Screening of Paris is Burning

The best way to end your Pride on the Riverfront celebration is with a free matinee homage to queer culture and the POC and trans individuals who paved the way.

Photos from Previous Years

10am Parade Begins
Meet us on Jefferson Street for Burlington's inaugural Pride Parade! We encourage all LGBTQ+ community members, allies, and fur babies to join the procession as we make our way to the Festival on the Riverfront.
10:00am Riverfront Festival Opens
Enjoy the art, merchandise, food, music, information and good times from more than 60 vendors and entertainment every 30 minutes!
11:00am Commencement Ceremony
Officially kicking off our Pride on the Riverfront Festival by crowning our 2024 grand marshals and digging into what Pride is really all about.
11:30am Marcy Toal: A lived trans experience
12:00pm Nannette Griffin for Iowa Senate
12:30pm August Gonzalez Live Musical Performance
Details coming soon.
1:00pm Books Unite Us, Censorship Divides Us
Listen as Brittany Jacobs, Director of Burlington Public Library, shares the dangers associated with banning books and how librarians are reclaiming voices during Banned Books Week. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. By focusing on efforts to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.
1:30pm Iowa House Candidate Q&A
More than 30 bills were introduced in Iowa last session that would adversely impact the lives of LGBT+ people. One even looked at overturning same-sex marriage. Watch as journalist David Bohlman hosts a live Q&A with candidates running for the pivot district 99 discussing the future of queer people in Iowa.
2:00pm David Kroll Live
Country music singer-songwriter and Pride on the Riverfront organizer David Kroll shares his coming out journey through a series of songs and stories.
2:30pm 50/50 Raffle Drawing
Find the pride committee member selling raffle tickets at the parade and festival for your chance to take home half the pot! $1 for 1 ticket, $5 for 6, $10 for 15 or $20 for an arm's length! Must be present at the drawing to win.
3:00pm Festival Ends
Thank you for joining us for Pride on the Riverfront Parade & Festival 2024! But for those those 21+ the day isn't over just yet -- see you at Pride After Dark!
7:00pm Pride After Dark Doors Open
See you back at Burlington Auditorium for Pride After Dark, a drag show and dance party all in one! This event is 21+ with valid ID required to enter. Buy tickets in advance at https://tickets.burlingtonriverfront.org/#/event-details/pride-after-dark
8:00pm Pride After Dark Drag Show
6 fierce queens and 2 hours of jaw-dropping entertainment before the Memorial Auditorium turns into a pop-up night club 'til midnight.