By Finley Timon EDITORIAL INTERN
Big Sky OUT will host its third annual Summer Pride Weekend June 11 to 15—a free, five-day celebration aimed at “increasing visibility and community presence,” according to founder Brit Diersch.
The five-day schedule is available on Big Sky OUT’s website. Festivities will begin Wednesday, June 11, with a “Lunch and Learn” on queer allyship in the workplace, followed by “Pups and Pride” at the Big Sky Community Park softball field and “Pride Story Hour” at the new Arts Council building on Lone Peak Drive.
Friday, June 13, includes a drag makeup workshop, a mountain bike ride and “Queer Trivia Night” at Cowboy Coffee.
Saturday, June 14 will feature a “Pride Fun Run,” glitter painting, a local vendor market, 406 Cirque performances, roller derby and an outdoor screening of “Big Eden.” The evening wraps with a DJ set and late-night dance party at Tips Up.
The weekend concludes on Sunday, June 15, with a guided hike to Ousel Falls, followed by a ticketed “Drag and Variety Show” fundraiser and a free DJ dance party.
Now in its third year of continued growth and evolution, Summer Pride Weekend follows Big Sky OUT’s inaugural Winter Pride Week, reflecting the organization’s growth for the queer community.
“This year is so special with two events,” Diersch said. “We are so excited to celebrate in so many seasons of Big Sky.”
Diersch added that the goal is showing that Big Sky’s queer community is active and thriving, through a “huge celebration” to help gain visibility and exposure.
“It’s fun being able to host such big events, being such a young nonprofit that our community wants us here,” they said. “We are successful because of the support.”
More information is available at bigskyout.org.