STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Pride in the Garden is back with a Pride Prom.
And this year’s event has expanded into a true Pride Festival with additional events that include a drag show and dinner, a free showing of “Mama Bears” and a Saturday Pride Ride bike parade.
“The response to our inaugural Pride in the Garden event last year was so positive and supportive, we decided to find other collaborators and offer an expanded format. In fact, most of our collaborators found us,” said Jen Smith. “We really had no idea how enthusiastic people would be about these events and it turns out, they really are! Pride is a community thing and nobody does community like the Wood River Valley!”
Wednesday, June 15--The Pride in the Garden festival kicks off with PRIDE PROM: UNDER THE RAINBOW. The event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden.
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Meghan Myrick will be back as Queen of Ceremonies, DJ Marlin will spin the tunes, Sawtooth Brewery will serve up dinner and beer in a picnic-style format and there’ll be a hosted bar with non-alcoholic beverages, wine and cocktails.
Speakers will take the stage and Justin Buckles Productions will be back with drag queens—and this time a king—providing lively entertainment. There’ll be dancing, and a photo booth, as well.
A cruiser bike decorated in Pride Style by the Good Deeds Club will be raffled off and the winner of the bike will be deemed the Glam Marshall of Saturday’s Pride Ride bike parade.
Auction items include an original art piece by Christine Warjone, tickets to the Lyle Lovett and Chris Isaak concerts donated by the Sun Valley Museum of Art and a pair of sunglasses by Theo Eyewear, which were donated by Images Eyes Optical.
Dress creatively and colorfully, and don’t forget the rainbows and glitter, as a Pride Court will be crowned. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket and low-back chairs, as well.
Tickets are $125 for adult couples 21 and over and $65 for adult singles. They’re $50 for couples under 21 and $35 for singles under 21.
Thursday, June 16—The drag performers will be back for the DESPO’S DIVA DINNER at Despo’s, 211 4th Street East in Ketchum. Ticket holders will enjoy drag performances, tacos and beverages from 6 to 9 p.m. Dinner starts at 6 p.m.; the show featuring Dolce Vida, Jayla Rose, Lylac and Otto starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $125.
- Friday, June 17—FABULOUS FRIDAY FLICK. A free screening of “Mama Bears” will be held at 7 p.m. at the Sun Valley Opera House, compliments of Sun Valley Resort.
“Building a community that is respectful, kind and open to all is important to us at Sun Valley Resort. We are thrilled to partner with the Sawtooth Botanical Garden on these events, and proud of our employees that brought the idea to the table,” said Pete Sonntag, Vice President and General Manager of Sun Valley Resort.
“Mama Bears” was screened at the 2022 Sun Valley Film Festival in April where it was named “Best Documentary Feature.” It spotlights 32,000 conservative Christian mothers connected by private Facebook groups who fight for the civil rights of their children and the entire LGBTQ+ community.
“We’re not going to see changes in our legislative halls until we change what we hear in the pews from the pulpits of our churches,” said one Mama Bear.
They call themselves “mama bears” because, while their love is warm and fuzzy, they fight ferociously to make the world kinder and safer for all LGBTQ+ people.
- Saturday, June 18—A free PRIDE RIDE bike parade supported by Sun Valley Resort will start at the Sun Valley Pavilion parking lot across from the ice rink. Participants are asked to arrive at 10 a.m. for last-minute instructions and a chance to dress up the bikes. The ride will start about 11 a.m., heading along the bike path and Wood River Trail to River Run and back. Costumes are encouraged.
Pride in the Garden is a celebration of the Wood River Valley’s LGBTQAI+ community and its allies.
It raises funds for the Sawtooth Botanical Garden’s diversity, equity, inclusion and justice programming and services. The garden dedicates a percentage of net income to three local Youth Pride Clubs, said Smith.
The 2nd Annual Pride in the Garden is organized by the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, NAMI-WRV, The Advocates and local youth Pride Clubs.