Salem’s Pride celebration Saturday kicked off with a community parade down State Street, followed by a block party that ran all afternoon.
The party included colorful attire, public art, crafting projects and opportunities for attendees to share coming out stories.
Marchers walk down State Street in the Salem Pride Parade in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Supporters of the Salem Pride Parade line State Street in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Members of Cherry City Roller Derby skate in the Salem Pride Parade in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A Salem Pride Parade participant waits for the parade to start in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Supporters of the Salem Pride Parade line State Street in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Kids do street art at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Colorful attire at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A free clothes closet was available to peruse at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Mermaid Seraphina and a visitor to her booth at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A unicorn dances at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Kiwi the duck enjoys the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
One of the many interactive booths at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
There was a long line at the Free Dad and Mom Hugs booth at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Misha entertains the crowd at the Salem Pride Block Party dance show in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A Salem Pride Block Party attendee confronts a protester at the event in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Attendees confront a protestor at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
The street level view at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
The Lego quilt under construction at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A member of the Portland Ghostbusters helps attendees make their own slime at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
An aspiring drag queen at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A visitor models rainbow headgear at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
There were many expressions of pride at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
An attendee dances during intermisison at the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A dancer onstage at the Salem Pride Block Party dance show in downtown Salem entertains the crowd on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A historic figure attends the Salem Pride Block Party in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Jenna onstage at the Salem Pride Block Party dance show in downtown Salem entertains the crowd on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A canine participant in the Salem Pride Parade in downtown Salem on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
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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.