2023 Capital City Pride Parade

The Capital City Pride Parade is Pride Fest 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!

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 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.

• Runner Up: 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. Violators will be towed at the owner’s expense. 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.