Princess Fairy and Willow Shrimp (Miss Salem Gay Pride 45) deliver drag queen story hour to kids at the Oregon State Kids Corner Booth during Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Ninety-degree weather and no parking to be found was not a deterrent to the crowds that turned out for this year’s Salem Pride in the Park on Saturday, Aug. 26.
Colorful booths lined the shady pathways of Riverfront Park near downtown Salem and there was a wide variety of food carts to choose from, along with a beverage court for those over 21. The main stage was kept busy with entertainers and there was a wide variety of activities for all ages to participate in.
There was also a sensory tent for those who needed a quiet calm area to retreat into, along with a wide variety of items for sale, informational materials, and outreach on a variety of topics.
The annual event is organized by Capital Pride and has traditionally been held in August so as not to compete with larger cities’ Pride events in June.
A scene of the crowd at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Lily Pelka signs up for her first library card at the Salem Public Library booth at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) A rousing performance from the of the drag queens during the Salem Pride in the Park on August 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) A happy attendee at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The Moms Demand Action booth greeted attendees when they entered Salem Pride in the Park this year on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A younger drag princess performs during Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Cherry City Roller Derby members staff their booth at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)An attendee looks at wares for sale at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Staff from 503 Distilling were kept busy handing out samples at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Festival attendees wait in line for food at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Mulan Rouge and Princess Fairy in between events at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) An eager audience awaits the start of the entertainment at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Lexi Faber and Bo the dog offered free hugs during Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Certified nurse midwives Molly MacMorris-Adix, Lori Swain, and Sheldon Fox know what book to recommend to expectant moms at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Staff from Umpqua Bank handed out free ice cream to attendees at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Business was brisk for many vendors at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Emmit and their friend Elise make stickers at the Oregon State University Kids Corner booth at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Some of the wares to be had at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Caesar the No Drama Llama makes an appearance at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)An attendee enjoys the music during Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) A scene of the crowd at Salem Pride in the Park on Aug. 26, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected].
SUPPORT OUR WORK – We depend on subscribers for resources to report on Salem with care and depth, fairness and accuracy. Subscribe today to get our daily newsletters and more. Click I want to subscribe!
Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
