SPOKANE, Wash. — Pride month is well underway here in Spokane and Spokane Pride celebrated with their annual Pride Parade. Thousands of people came to downtown Spokane to celebrate the parade.
During the parade, pride flags were high in the air, in people's hands, and even on their clothes. More than 50,000 people turned out for the 32nd annual Spokane Pride Parade.
"It means a lot to see everyone out here, and to be able to celebrate that with people who are like you," Madison Farrow said. This is Farrow's second Spokane Pride Parade.
"It brings community together," Farrow said. "It brings a whole family together. We can create a beautiful family with the people here."
This year's parade saw more than 100 groups participating.
"It's important because there needs to be representation in every industry," Anthony Inez said. Inez and his co-workers from Liberty Mutual walked in the parade.
Inez said, "Growing up as a gay kid in Coeur d'Alene, there wasn't anything like this. So I just feel so welcome here, and it's so important to have that."
The celebration wasn't only contained to the parade. Nearby, more than 200 vendors and performers took over Riverfront Park.
"We recognize that the community has a need," Becky Gill said. "Pain and anxiety relief is what we specialize in. That's what we're here to help people with." Gill is the owner of Bath by Bex in Spokane Valley. It is their third time taking part in the celebration.
Gill said, "All of us are allies. We would not be here if the LGBTQ+ community didn't have a special place in our hearts."
According to the Spokane Pride board member Shelby Dirks, it's a big event taking several months to plan. "It's worth every second, every minute I didn't sleep this week. I love it," Dirks said. "The weather's on our side. People are awesome. Look at all the outfits. It's beautiful."
Dirks said, "We need to show people that we don't have to hide, that we are a community and that we're safe to be here in Spokane, because there's so many of us, we're not alone."
Spokane Pride celebrations continue through the weekend. It'll be capped off with the Family Pride Celebration at the Central Library on Sunday.