Thousands gathered in downtown Omaha Saturday for a lively and colorful celebration of the local LGBTQ+ community. On Saturday morning, the annual Heartland Pride Parade made its way down Capitol Avenue from 16th to 10th Streets, and then up 10th Street to the CHI Health Arena, where a festival followed. This year’s parade included over 190 entries, according to the event's website , and included everything from extravagant balloon displays to rainbow-clad "Star Wars" stormtroopers.
Members of Northern Natural Gas hold balloons that spell out “PRIDE” while walking in the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha on Saturday. Participants in the parade and spectators alike were decked out in their best rainbow attire and many waved pride flags. Heartland Pride kicked off the weekend with a youth pride event at the CHI Health Arena Friday evening.
On Saturday, the festival following the parade was expected to continue into the evening with vendors, food and drinks and entertainment including musicians and drag artists. Zario Ixcoy of Omaha said they appreciated the open and welcoming environment the pride parade offers. “I feel like at events like this you can dress however you want and be who you want to be out here and not feel judged,” Ixcoy said.
David Gaines of Washington D.C. was at the parade holding a sign that read “I heard there would be glitter.
” Gaines said he was excited to be in town for the pride parade. People line the sidewalk and street of Capitol Avenue to watch the Heartland Pride Parade in downtown Omaha on Saturday. While Gaines said he’s been to pride events in other cities, he appreciates the enthusiasm of Omaha’s pride celebration and the emphasis on community rather than corporations.
"It feels like everybody knows each other," he said. Gaines said it’s important to him to show members of the LGBTQ+ community that they are supported. “The culture seems to be embracing intolerance, and that's just bad, so we're here to signal tolerance and loving everybody,” he said.
"Love is love." Shannon Navin of Omaha said she attends the parade every year to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, especially since she has a child who is part of the community. Camryn Koeller, of Omaha, left, smiles at her mother, Christa Russell, of Omaha, right, before the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha on Saturday.
“We're here to support everyone through diversity and change," she said. "I think just showing up and showing people that are in smaller communities or scrutinized communities that we're here to support them." Navin said she attended pride in Chicago this year as well, and while Omaha’s celebration is smaller, it’s still meaningful.
“It's a beautiful display of support and love and I hope it just gets bigger every year,” she said. Amanda Petersmith carries her daughter, Josie Petersmith, both of Omaha, on her shoulders while walking in the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Ursula Morton, of Omaha, applies a temporary pride flag tattoo on her face before the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
Vince Percy, of Omaha, right, hugs Jennifer Ross, of Omaha, before the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Members of the NEBOWA Deaf Queer & Allies gather and prepare to walk in the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Katie Davis, of Omaha, spins a rainbow flag while walking in the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
People participating in the Heartland Pride Parade prepare their groups and floats to walk down Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Margaret Empkey, of Omaha, fans herself before the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. The Omaha Pride Guard poses for a photo before the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
Donald Porter, of Omaha, holds up ribbons and balloons before the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Camryn Koeller, of Omaha, left, smiles at her mother, Christa Russell, of Omaha, right, before the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Alexis Monaghan, of Omaha, ties up a CD as decoration for a float before the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
Over 190 groups walked in the 2024 Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in downtown Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Members of Northern Natural Gas hold balloons that spell out “PRIDE” while walking in the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Makayla Walker, of Omaha, holds her 2-year-old Great Dane, Dingo, at the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
People line the sidewalk of Capitol Avenue to watch the Heartland Pride Parade in downtown Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Maggy Danger, left, Lexi Turner, center, and Jenna Bedsual, all of Omaha, talk while watching the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Libby Dahlgaard, of Omaha, right, takes a selfie while watching the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
Winston, Shih Tzu and Poodle mix, stands for a portrait at the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Ella Francke, left, and Sophia Ramirez, right, both of Omaha, talk and watch the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Kirsten McCready, of Omaha, stands for a portrait while watching the Heartland Pride Parade on Capitol Avenue in Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
People line the sidewalk and street of Capitol Avenue to watch the Heartland Pride Parade in downtown Omaha, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Get local news delivered to your inbox!.
