Downtown Emporia came alive on Saturday as Emporia Pride returned for another vibrant celebration, drawing large crowds for a day filled with parades, live music, and a high-energy drag show to cap off the night.
The event has seen significant growth since it first began in 2021, evolving into a cornerstone of local LGBTQ+ visibility and unity.
Big Dreams for the Future of Emporia Pride
One of the event’s lead organizers, Hank Osterhout, shared his vision for taking the celebration even further in the years ahead.
“I want to bring Taylor Swift to Emporia,” Osterhout said enthusiastically.
While that may seem like a lofty goal, Emporia Pride has consistently exceeded expectations. Originally launched by the Emporia High School Gay-Straight Alliance and Emporia Community Action, the event has matured into a major annual gathering driven by community effort and passion.
Pride as a Celebration of People and Purpose
Despite its expansion, organizers are committed to maintaining the core spirit of Pride—a celebration of diversity, acceptance, and belonging.
“Pride is about people. It’s about the community saying, ‘We’re in this together,’” Osterhout explained. “At its heart, it’s about embracing everyone, no matter who they are.”
Local Volunteers Power the Event’s Success
Behind the scenes, a dedicated volunteer committee begins planning months in advance.
From coordinating artists and drag performers to managing food vendors and sound equipment, the team works tirelessly to bring Pride to life each year.
For 2025, organizers chose to consolidate all activities into a single day—a strategic move to streamline logistics and improve the overall experience.
Spotlight on Local LGBTQ+ Talent
One of Emporia Pride’s defining features is its focus on local talent. Many of the musicians and drag performers who took the stage this year hail from Emporia itself, reinforcing the event’s mission to elevate queer voices within the community.
Mallory Bishop, a committee member, emphasized this point:
“Emporia Pride highlights the people around you—neighbors, friends, classmates, and allies. You see them not just attending, but performing, organizing, and representing what Pride is all about.”
A Theme That Resonates: “Pink Pony Club”
This year’s theme, “Pink Pony Club,” was inspired by the track from rising queer pop artist Chappell Roan, known for her bold, gender-defying musical style.
The theme brought out the community’s creativity, with attendees on Commercial Street dressed in dazzling attire that paid tribute to the song’s vibrant and whimsical aesthetic.
Creating Space for Queer Visibility in Emporia
Though Emporia Pride has seen rising attendance, some may be surprised by the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in a town where it wasn’t always as openly recognized. For organizers, that shift in visibility is intentional.
“We want people to understand that queer and trans people have always been here—in your schools, churches, and neighborhoods,” said Bishop. “We’re not new; we’re just no longer invisible.”
Emporia Pride continues to grow in both size and impact, offering a powerful reminder that small-town America has a place in the national LGBTQ+ conversation.
With a firm grounding in local roots, a commitment to community inclusion, and bold ambitions for the future, Emporia Pride is not just a celebration—it’s a movement.