Capital City Pride 2023 Gala

Capital City Pride 2023 Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony
Saturday, March 4 2023 @ The River Center
Downtown Des Moines

The 2023 Capital City Pride Gala is presented in partnership by Meta and Turner Construction and sponsored in part by Polk County.

Join us for a Roaring 20’s inspired evening of food, entertainment, and music at Capital City Pride’s 2023 Gala & Awards Ceremony. An elegant dinner combined with an evening of glitz and glamour culminates in an unforgettable celebration for those who help strengthen & promote the Iowa LGBTQ+ community. Put on the Ritz and come dressed in your favorite Gatsby-Roaring 20’s attire.

Attendee Information

Capital City Pride is thrilled to have you join us for the Gatsby-inspired Roaring 20’s evening at the River Center located at 340 SW 3rd Street in Des Moines this Saturday, March 4. This is going to be a night to remember, filled with glamour, music, and exciting activities.

Please note that parking will be available for $10, cash or card in Parking Lot B. A coat check will be provided, so feel free to bring your coat along. Check-in will be by name or table host’s name if you are unsure.

We will kick off the night with a social hour starting at 5:00 p.m. on the South Side of the River Center. Here, you’ll find a 360 Photo Booth set up for you to capture your stunning Gatsby-inspired look. Also, there will be four artists from Portrait Studio available during cocktail hour to create a timeless portrait of you and your companions.

At 6:15 p.m., we will shift to the North Side for dinner and a program. We encourage you to dress up in your best Gatsby-inspired attire from the 1920s. Let’s show off our stylish flapper dresses, fedoras, and tuxedos to make this night an unforgettable experience. Please note that for the safety and comfort of our guests, no costumes with guns, real or prop, will be permitted.

During the event, there will be a donation by QR code challenge at your tables. The winning table will win gift cards provided by Americana. This is an excellent opportunity to give back to the community while having fun.

Many thanks to our co-presenting sponsors Meta and Turner Construction, our partnering sponsor the Polk County Board of Supervisors, and Tito’s Homemade Vodka. Make sure to try their signature cocktail for the evening, the French 75.

And thank you for joining us for this event! We look forward to seeing you and creating unforgettable memories together.

Award Nominations

Nominations are now closed.

These awards honor people and organizations that have demonstrated leadership by visibly contributing through volunteering, donating, and helping to create a strong and cohesive LGBTQ+ community in the Des Moines metro and/or company diversity and inclusion.

Submitting a nomination is a great way to recognize specific Des Moines LGBTQ+ leaders, outstanding company diversity and inclusion programs, and an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. All nominees should be submited no later than January 24, 2023.

Pride Person(s) of the Year

This award honors two outstanding representatives of the Des Moines Metro LGBTQ+ community. The award is based on service to the community, participation in LGBTQ+ organizations, volunteering, fundraising, etc. in the past year.

Company of the Year:

This award honors the outstanding Des Moines Metro company. The award is based on the company’s LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion policy, education and advocacy, community, and participation with LGBTQ+ organizations, service, and sponsorship.

Ally of the Year: