Boise’s Pridefest gets underway today. The event has grown from a potluck-style get together in a park to a two-day takeover of the city’s downtown. Attendance is expected to be high, and a range of new sponsors have signed up to back the event.
Boise’s Pride has moved from the fringe to one of the city’s signature events. This year, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter will deliver a proclamation at Pride, and Representative John McCrostie – an openly gay state lawmaker – will march in the parade.
With new leadership on the board of Boise Pridefest, the organization has recruited some big name corporate sponsors to back the state’s biggest LGBTQ celebration.
“Micron has come on board [and] Albertsons,” says Sally Hobbs, a Pridefest board member. “Wells Fargo has been a big supporter year after year. But our new supporters – I think they have seen what we do in the community. Pride is a great way to get on that train of 'let’s show the community what our businesses are about.'”
Hobbs spoke to Idaho Matters earlier this week.
Organizers want to highlight unity at the event, but they say they’ve been in touch with law enforcement should there be a backlash to Pride. They say they’re encouraged the event will be peaceful given the high number of downtown businesses flying rainbow flags in solidarity. The city has also put rainbow banners on poles and lampposts throughout the downtown.
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