Pride celebrates love in Central Park

Rainbowatonna hosted its Pride in the Park event in Central Park last weekend, celebrating love in all forms right in the heart of town.

The packed event saw community members and visitors from far and wide come together for games, music, food and fun in the sun.

“We’ve been here since the start enjoying the day, supporting vendors and just seeing everyone around… I’m glad that Minnesota is like this. Minnesota is one of the safest states right now, and I hope it stays like this,” said attendee Destiny Kern.

The event saw local musical act Bad Tangerines take center stage to get the crowd going while vendors sold goods from food to trinkets.

An infectious energy of happiness caught the eye of some visiting attendees as well.

Nonprofit organization Free Mom Hugs had a booth near the stage and was a fan-favorite stop for many perusing through the festival as their booth offered free pins, stickers, and of course: Hugs.

The Minnesota chapter of the group was represented by Julie Anderson and Chris Wester, who both attended the event from Minneapolis.

“It’s amazing. We weren’t sure what to expect since we had a huge weekend at Twin Cities Pride with a couple 100,000 people. Coming to Owatonna, the city is charming, it’s beautiful. We didn’t know what to expect and everyone we’ve met so far has been completely kind,” said Wester.

The trip south was made to spread pride and help find volunteers for the organization, but it also supplied the visitors with a new piece of mind.

“The farther outside of the city we get, sometimes we tend to see more confused looks and whatnot. Not that I thought that was going to happen today, but you just never know. So, it really fills the air in your balloon when you show up and there are hundreds of people coming by to visit and they’re all so kind and grateful,” said Wester.