In recent years, Oregon and the Willamette Valley have developed reputations for diversity and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. In 2008, for instance, Stu Rasmussen made history when he was elected as the nation’s first openly transgender mayor in Silverton. And in 2016, Oregon elected Kate Brown as the state’s governor—becoming the first state to elect an openly LGBTQ+ official to its highest office.
Today, Pride Month events all over the Willamette Valley honor, celebrate, and recognize their LGBTQ+ communities through a variety of fun and important experiences. In the likes of McMinnville and Newberg, for instance, Wine Country Pride hosts street fairs and a festival that spotlights queer-owned, queer-made, and queer-grown wines from throughout the United States. And in August, even after Pride Month ends, Pride in the Park will take place at Alton Baker Park in Eugene.
Share in the celebration of our LGBTQ+ communities in June during Pride Month or later this summer; here’s a guide to Pride events throughout the Willamette Valley.
Wine Country Pride members march at the McMinnville UFO festival. Photo by Timothy Sofranko.
Some of the festivities at Wine Country Pride include Queer Wine Fest (a celebration of queer-owned, -made, and -grown wines), Rainbow Quest (where local businesses offer special Pride-related food, beverage, or retail items for sale), a drag extravaganza, and more. Money raised from these events will support scholarships for LGBTQ+ youth and assist local advocacy organizations.
Wine Country Pride members march at the McMinnville UFO festival. Photo by Timothy Sofranko.
Since 2017, Albany Pride has created opportunities for members of the local LGBTQ+ community to connect and celebrate their identities. In the years since its formation, the group has come together each June to celebrate through a variety of fun events.
This year, Albany Pride will mark the occasion with a rally on June 22, 2024; the event also will include a march, live performances, music, vendor booths, local food trucks, and other activities. Learn more about what’s in store for Albany Pride in 2024.
June might be Pride Month, but Pride activities continue all summer long in the Willamette Valley.
On August 10, 2024, for instance, Eugene Pride will hold a pair of events celebrating the community’s LGBTQ+ community. The first event is a kickoff rally and march, which will begin downtown and end at Alton Baker Park—where the organization’s annual Pride in the Park celebration will take place. Details for this year’s festival are still being worked out, but past events have included live entertainment, food and drinks, local vendor booths, family activities, and more.
In the meantime, the Eugene Emeralds—the class-A, minor-league baseball affiliate of the San Francisco Giants—will face the Everett AquaSox on June 13, 2024. The team’s Pride Night celebration will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
Salem’s Capital Pride organization is hosting several fun events this summer.
The first is the group’s Pride Parade and Block Party, happening on June 8, 2024; it begins with a parade in downtown Salem—and concludes with a day-long block party that includes food, games, drag shows, arts and crafts, raffles, and other fun activities.
Later in summer, the group’s Pride in the Park event is taking place on September 21, 2024. The event will spotlight nonprofit and vendor booths, live entertainment, and more.
Just 30 minutes west of Salem, Falls City Pride features a full weekend of fun events in Falls City. Plans are still being worked out for the community's 10th annual celebration, which takes place August 17-18, 2024.
The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library is hosting numerous events throughout June that celebrate Pride—including an ice cream social for teens, a LEGO building event, story times, and DIY workshops. See the library's full calendar of events for specific dates, times, and information.
Celebrate Pride in the community of Monmouth, which will host the Monmouth Has Pride event on June 1, 2024. Taking place at Main Street Park in the heart of downtown, the family-friendly celebration includes food, music, a parade, and other fun events.
