OKLAHOMA CITY — Just days after Downtown Oklahoma City was awash in Thunder blue and orange for the NBA championship, the streets turned rainbow for PrideFest 2025.
PrideFest kicked off Friday, June 27, and continues through the weekend under the theme “Liberation is Love.” The festival welcomes thousands for performances, wellness events, art markets, and family-friendly activities celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ identity, resilience, and community.
Organized by the Oklahoma Pride Alliance, PrideFest is a key part of the nonprofit’s year-round work supporting queer communities. In addition to the festival, the group leads initiatives like Youth Pride Nights, public art projects, and access to services like housing and STI testing. This year also introduced “Pride by the People,” a grassroots campaign focused on community funding.
“It’s really one of our largest times to experience that joy as a community,” Oklahoma Pride Alliance president Kylan Durant told Free Press in an interview. “And just taking up space in Downtown OKC is always so powerful.”
Kicking off with Pride
PrideFest launched with a full evening of performances across two main stages. The Love Stage opened with the fan-favorite StoryTime featuring MayLynn, followed by sets from local DJs and a high-energy drag hour featuring local performers. Meanwhile, the Pride Stage showcased live music by local artists.
The night continued with special appearances by American Idol alum David Archuleta, who reflected on his coming out journey and performed hits like “Creme Brulee” and a cover of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.”
“I know a lot of you have not had familial support,” he told the crowd. “I’m so glad to see that you’re here finding your community and finding a place where you can freely be yourself because I think that comes first and foremost.”
Featured artist Raja Gemini, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 3, followed with a lip-sync set ranging from RuPaul’s “Covergirl” to Kermit the Frog’s “Rainbow Connection.”
“I was asked what it’s like doing Pride in a small town,” Raja told the crowd at PrideFest. “Well, I don’t think I’m in a small town. I think I’m in Oklahoma City!”
The evening closed with a high-energy set from Grammy-winning pop artist Daya, who performed hits like “Sit Still, Look Pretty” and “Don’t Let Me Down.”
Friday’s festivities drew thousands under warm skies, including attendee Kyla Hopper.
“It’s a beautiful time that makes me feel so included with the community,” she told Free Press.
On Saturday, PrideFest continued with wellness activities like yoga, a sound bath, and boxing, followed by live music and a midday drag hour, while a morning Sports-A-Thon included soccer, track, and volleyball.
Saturday night’s Love Stage lineup features Season 11 winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Yvie Oddly, known for her avant-garde style at 9 p.m., followed by headliner and hip-hop and pop artist Baby Tate at 10 p.m.
For the people, by the people
A standout feature of PrideFest 2025 is the grassroots “Pride by the People” campaign, launched by the Oklahoma Pride Alliance. With a goal of $100,000, the campaign had raised over $26,000 from supporters by the end of opening night. The initiative marks a shift toward community ownership and a growing focus on grassroots backing.
“It feels a lot better to have a community-driven, community-focused funding source,” Durant told Free Press.
He emphasized that with an estimated crowd of 45,000, even small donations of $5 to $10 could make a big difference.
Funds support PrideFest elements and year-round programming, reinforcing Pride Alliance’s mission of education and advocacy. Recent programs like “Love Thy Neighbor” address issues like protest rights and ICE encounters, with plans to expand.
“This work doesn’t stop after June,” Durant said. “We’re an all-volunteer organization, and we rely on support, whether donating, showing up, or sharing, because this is year-round work, especially for collective liberation.”
To support the campaign, some attendees purchased VIP packages, available this year at various levels. A 3-Day “Platinum Pass” included unlimited drinks, local meals, shaded seating, exclusive views, and special perks, while a general pass offered lounge access, daily drink tickets, food, and shade, and single-day options provided similar benefits.
Custom merchandise, including tie-dye shirts, hats, bags, and stickers, provided another funding source, with Oklahoma Shirt Company offering live screen printing. Designer Sonoma McCullough praised the strong energy and turnout.
“It’s been great to see the community come together, not just local businesses, but the people who are part of the community,” she said in an interview.
Parade
PrideFest wraps up Sunday with festivities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning with the annual Pride Parade at 11 a.m. This year’s Grand Marshals are local drag performers, honored for their impact on LGBTQ+ culture and visibility, especially meaningful after the May passage of House Bill 1217, which restricts “obscene adult performances” in public spaces where children may be present.
“We’re reaffirming our commitment to our local drag community,” Durant said.
Parade Co-Chair Blake Barrett, who organized the event with Reagan Ray, said the float design was inspired by the protest roots of Pride. Organizers also noted this year’s parade focused more on community groups amid reduced participation from others. Pride officials aimed for a more intentional lineup by prioritizing grassroots organizations and limiting involvement from companies seen as less supportive of LGBTQ+ causes, while still welcoming some employee and union groups.
“This year’s parade will be made up of those who stand by our side even when it’s not always the most popular thing to do,” Barrett told Free Press.
The parade route runs down Walker Avenue from Couch Drive, turns east on Oklahoma City Boulevard, and ends at South Robinson Avenue. The procession lasts about an hour and typically draws large crowds. It will be livestreamed with commentary by Jennifer Welch and Kylie “Pumps” Sullivan of the “I’ve Had It” podcast.
Following the parade, the Love Stage hosts the Divas Drag Brunch at 12:30 p.m. featuring local performers, followed by the OKC Ballet Studio Company at 2:30 p.m. and the Two Spirit Festival at 3 p.m., which highlights Indigenous voices within the LGBTQ+ community.
Community-centered
This year’s PrideFest features the return of the Community Zone, a dedicated space for local nonprofits, health services, advocacy groups, and faith communities to connect with attendees. Open Saturday, June 28, from 12 to 5 p.m. participants include AIDS Walk OKC, PFLAG Oklahoma City, Rainbow Youth Project, and others offering resources and support.
“There are so many different resources and community-focused parts of the festival that are always overwhelming to experience, see, and learn about,” Durant said. “I think every year I learn new information about others serving our community, which is always so powerful.”
The Youth Zone, open Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Event Pavilion, offers creative activities for ages 13 to 29, including flag painting, tote design, face painting, and bracelet making and also hosts the “Lip Sync for the Crows” competition from 3 to 4 p.m., crowning this year’s PrideFest Lip Sync Winner.
Also returning this year is the Vendor Marketplace, open Friday through Sunday, where local artists, craftspeople, and small businesses showcase handmade goods and services with everything from house plants to barbeque sauce and healthcare to face painting.
Ryan Ochsner, tabling with Diversity Family Health said the organization offers affirming health care for 2SLGBTQIA+ patients who may not have felt safe discussing their identity or health needs elsewhere.
“We want people to know there is a place for them, that there is health care out there for them in a safe environment,” Ochsner told Free Press.
Drake White, representing the queer-owned Wild Mike’s, was at the booth selling homemade pickles, salsas, jerky, and hot sauce. He said he’s enjoyed supporting the LGBTQ+ community through the event.
“It’s nice to be able to support something that, even though I’m not in that community, I definitely want the best for everybody, because I feel like it doesn’t matter who you love or who you want to be,” White told Free Press.
Friday’s Artist Avenue, a low-barrier, community-focused marketplace launched in 2024, featured 2SLGBTQIA+ creators sharing original art, crafts, and apparel.
Darby Wright, one of many Oklahoma artists featured, was selling for the first time and said they enjoyed connecting with attendees, especially hearing stories from those experiencing their first Pride.
“It just feels really special,” Wright said.
This year’s Artist Avenue included a tribute to Triniti Spear, a local artist and Starbucks Workers United member who passed away last year. Her family and union members shared prints of her artwork and raised awareness about the organization. Starbucks Workers United is also represented in Sunday’s parade.
“I know if Triniti were still with us, she would be here tonight,” said her father, Jay Spear.
PrideFest continues through the weekend with performances, outreach, and community events. Organizers encourage attendees to stay safe in the heat by hydrating, wearing sun protection, and using festival cooling stations.
“Pace yourself, bring water, and get ready for a full, jam-packed weekend of celebration and community,” Durant said.
Zoe Elrod covers events and happenings around Oklahoma City for Free Press bringing her skill as a reporter and photographer. Zoe has spent her career covering local musicians, artists, politicians, and everyday folks.
