Photography by Mark Moore, courtesy of Pride St. Louis
After a two-year hiatus, one of the city's biggest festivals returns this weekend: PrideFest 2022: Together Again.
The festival, which typically drew 300,000 visitors in the pre-COVID era, recognizes and celebrates the region’s LGBTQ+ community and has been happening for more than four decades. The all-volunteer organization PrideSTL oversees the festival, one of several LGBTQ+ pride events across the region.
“What I’m most looking forward to about being back is just seeing everyone, having a good time, and being in community and able to celebrate,” says Jordan Braxton, parade director and director of diversity, inclusion, and outreach for PrideSTL. “I’m excited to see everybody, to feel everyone’s energy, to just celebrate with everyone who we are.”
The celebration continues all weekend long with music, food, vendors, and more. Headlining musical acts include Deborah Cox, Vassy, Alex Newell, and Raye. Homegrown talent includes Bad Habit, One Way Traffic, Poetiq, Pershard, and Pride Idol winners Samantha Trout and Katie Kitchell. There will also be DJs, drag queens, and special guests to keep the party going.
On Sunday, the Grand Pride Parade starts at 10th and Market at 11 a.m. This year’s grand marshal is Steven Louis Brawley, the keeper of the city’s robust LGBTQIA history. His St. Louis LGBT History Project has been collecting, preserving, and sharing the community’s stories since 2007, and his book Gay and Lesbian St. Louis is an invaluable resource, says Braxton. “I love working with Steven,” Braxton says. “The work that he does with the History Project is just amazing.”
PrideFest 2022: Together Again is this Saturday, June 25, from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sunday, June 26 , from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to consider a $5 donation to PrideSTL. See the website for details, including performance times and more.
