2023 Capital City Pride Parade

The Capital City Pride Parade is PrideFest Weekend, must see! A celebration of community and culture the pride parade honors LGBTQ+ social and self-acceptance, legal rights, achievements and pride.

The iconic route starts at the Iowa State Capital and travels down Grand Avenue into the Historic East Village. The parade kicks off at 12:00 pm on Sunday June 11, 2023. Show us your PRIDE, Iowa!

The Capital City Pride Parade is presented by Veridian Credit Union and F&G, in partnership with Global Atlantic, MidAmerican, and Nationwide.

Parade Information

Interested in participating in the Capital City Pride Parade? Below you will find everything you need to register, parade rules & information, and day of logistics.

Parade Registration

Pride Parade Rules & Info – PDF Version

Parade Contest

Got mad float building skills? Bring It!

New for 2023, Capital City Pride and our Pride Parade Presenting Sponsors, F&G and Veridian will be awarding the top 3 parade floats!

First Place: One amazing trophy, Two VIP tickets to 80/35, Four Blank Park Zoo, Rainbow Safari Tickets, Free 2024 Pride Guide Ad and 2024 free Pride Parade Entry.

Second Place: One slightly less amazing trophy, Four Blank Park Zoo, Rainbow Safari Tickets, Free 2024 Pride Guide Ad and 2024 free Pride Parade Entry

Third Place: One still cool trophy, Free 2024 Pride Guide Ad and 2024 free Pride Parade Entry.

Cost

All parade participants must pay a $50 entry fee and fill out a registration form online prior to registration closing. The entry fee is used to cover the increasing costs from the city to shut down, barricade and staff the parade route and ensure the safety of participants and attendees. Thank you for your understanding and support in covering these fees.

Parking for parade participants

For all of those participating in the parade, there is ample parking in either of the parking lots west of the IRS/Iowa Dept. of Human Services building. These lots are located off of E. Walnut St. and Dey St. These lots are highlighted in yellow on the “Pride Parade Rules & Info” PDF, found on this page.

Parade Staging

Staging and line up will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 11, 2023 in the Lucas Building Lot located on 321 E.12th St. This lot is east of the Capitol and shown in red in the “Pride Parade Rules & Info” PDF found on this page.
It is imperative that parade participants DO NOT park their personal vehicles that are not a part of the parade in the staging area. This takes up critical space for parade staging and line up. Please park in the designated area mentioned above and walk to the staging area.
All participants must check-in on arrival. Please have your group leader/contact check in immediately upon arrival with a Pride Fest volunteer at the entrance to the Lucas Building Lot (staging area). There, you will be given your line up number and directed to your area in staging. Volunteers will assist you in directing you to you and your participants to your designated staging area.
If your group needs special arrangements, please contact the Parade Deputy Director and/or Pride Fest Director immediately to discuss alternative arrangements.
Staging time is 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
- 11:30-11:50 a.m. will be the last call to ensure that all groups are in order and for the Parade Deputy Director and/or Pride Fest Director to communicate parade status with the parade emcees located on the parade route. The parade will begin at 12 p.m. sharp.

Parade

The parade starts promptly at 12 p.m. The parade route will exit the Lucas lot and proceed down Grand Avenue into the East Village. The route will be clearly marked and volunteers will be available along the route to provide any needed information.
Weather: if it is cloudy or raining, the parade will go on as scheduled—keep an eye on the forecasts. If there is lightning or storms, the parade will be canceled for everyone’s safety. The Parade Deputy Director and/or Pridefest Director will have the final say in whether or not the parade is canceled.

Rules

For the safety of parade participants, spectators and the general public, and to ensure the parade is in line with the values of the Capital City Pride organization, parade participants MUST agree to the following terms and conditions. It is the responsibility of each group/organization to ensure that all participants understand these terms and conditions:

Applications are subject to approval by the Capital City Pride Board. Capital City Pride reserves the right to reject any application it believes would be inappropriate given the nature of the event and all entrants should align with the mission and vision of the organization.
Entrants are responsible for the set up and cleanup of their vehicle before and after the parade.
All units agree to follow the direction(s) of the Capital City Pride Parade Coordinator, Capital City Pride Parade Security, and the Local Police Department at all times.
Capital City Pride is a family-friendly, inclusive celebration of community. No signs, banners, or groups promoting or showing profanity, sexual acts, or obscene material will be permitted.
All state and local ordinances regarding nudity will be strictly enforced. All costumes and other apparel worn during the parade (during line-up or the actual parade) must comply with the obscenity statutes of the State as well as the public decency ordinances of the City. All decisions as to the propriety of attire to be worn in the parade will be made by the Parade Coordinator.
The throwing of objects is NOT permitted. It is OK to hand out candy and items along the parade path, but throwing of any and all objects is prohibited.
The use of glitter or confetti in the parade is prohibited, as the city imposes a substantial fee for clean up of these items.
No use of strobe lights will be permitted.
No drug use will be permitted. Consumption of illicit illegal drugs during line up or the actual parade is grounds for immediate expulsion from the event.
No animals will be allowed in the parade without approval by the Parade Deputy Director and/or Pridefest Director.
All entrants with a motorized vehicle must carry proof of insurance with them in the parade. All motor vehicles, including motorcycles, must abide by posted speed limits during the parade route. Operating vehicles in close proximity to spectators is dangerous and NOT permitted. Operators of automobiles must possess a valid driver license. Operators of motorcycles must possess a valid driver license with motorcycle endorsement.
It is the responsibility of any entrant to help immediately remove vehicle(s) that become disabled. If you are unsure about your own vehicle, please plan ahead for any towing needs you may have. Any fees associated with towing, repairing, and tickets issued by law enforcement agencies for abandoned vehicles will be the responsibility of the entrant. Capital City Pride is not responsible for any damages to any unit before, during or after the parade.
At no time, and for no circumstance, shall a unit stop in or along the parade route once the unit has stepped off, with exception to the direction of Capital City Pride Staff or Local Police Officers or in the event of an emergency of any kind.