For 21 years, Mankato PrideFest has celebrated all over town, celebrating identity, expression, and community.

Beginning Sept. 8, PrideFest will get back with many free events.

This year, PrideFest starts off with a new event: the Share Your Pride: Queer Photo Series at the 410 Project.

“It’s really any photos that allow the photographers to show their experience through their own lens,” South Central Minnesota Pride Board Chair Charlie Johnston said.

The crowd-favorite Queeraoke will return to the Loose Moose Saloon on Friday.

Furthermore, Saturday will hold the bulk of the celebrations.

In the morning, a pride parade will flood Riverfront Drive, all to pay tribute to the former SCMN Pride Executive Director Jessica Flatequal, who died in 2019.

Be that as it may, her legacy actually lives on.

“We wanted to name the parade in her memory because of all the work she did for LQBTQ+ rights and activism,” Johnston said.

After the parade, a festival with live music and drag shows will happen at Riverfront Park around early afternoon.

Every year, the festival honors a person or organization that devotes work and support for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

This year, the celebration’s honoree is the Old Town Association.

“We wanted to really celebrate that group of businesses- it’s a great way to celebrate and give back, from us to them, for all of the things they’ve done for us over the years,” Johnston said.

Following the pride celebration, a pride party will be held at the Atomic Star.

Furthermore, Sunday highlights numerous events around Mankato, similar to the young party at the Wow! Zone and hauls shows at The 507 and Nolabelle Kitchen + Bar.

“I would say get a morning ticket for one restaurant and then go next door and get the later time ticket for the second one, so you don’t miss either one of those shows,” Johnston said.