A sea of rainbow: Hundreds brave rainy weather to celebrate Idaho Falls Pride
Published at | Updated at
IDAHO FALLS — Despite the rainfall, a massive rainbow made up of east Idahoans shone brightly along the Snake River Greenbelt Saturday morning in celebration of LGBTQ pride and unity.
Hundreds of people, decked in pride flags and accompanied by their dogs, came out to participate in the Idaho Falls Pride 2026 unity march around the Greenbelt.
During the parade, spectators stood on the sidelines and cheered in support. Breauna Priest was one of those supporters, telling EastIdahoNews.com she believes that “love is love,” and you can love anybody.
Priest has been part of the community since she was 12 years old. Twenty years on, she said that while she’d like to see a bigger Pride event in Idaho Falls, she’s pleased with where the community is at and the safety it provides.
As the parade crossed the Snake River on the Broadway Bridge, one individual asserted his rights through action. Walking through a sea of rainbows, dressed in camouflage and carrying a rifle and a revolver on his hip, Michael Armstrong told EastIdahoNews.com that he had a right to be there — just like those attending the pride event.
He said that while he doesn’t care for Pride events, he is concerned that adult attendees may attempt to influence children there.
“There’s no reason to talk to those people,” Armstrong said. “You can’t have a rational conversation with irrational people.”
Aside from Armstrong’s presence, Pride saw support from community members as they marched back to the Greenbelt Bandshell, where over 50 vendors were set up, ready to sell Pride merch or share information at their booths.
Zaria Sanchez, owner of Very Good Shop booth, said she moved to Idaho Falls three years ago and says being a part of Pride has allowed her to find a supportive community.
Despite Idaho’s conservative nature, she said that Pride allows individuals to expose their true selves without fear.
“I’m an immigrant, so being legally an ‘alien’ is always a very alienating experience,” Sanchez said. “I feel like how a lot of queer people do, which is this part of my identity I should keep a secret for my safety.”
She said her shop helps her express her identity in a way that resonates with others.
“I feel like I always draw in a crowd that looks like me and acts like me, so they’re always queer and gay and having fun, and so I feel like Pride is just such a great time to … all come together,” Sanchez said.
As part of Pride, drag queens performed at the Greenbelt Bandshell. King Holden Aces, a drag performer known as Brandi Palmer, said he has been doing drag for the past five years and focuses on helping the younger generation know they aren’t alone.
“Young people need to know that they have a place to be and that there’s a community for them,” Palmer said.
Ameila Blayke, a drag queen from Twin Falls, had a message for younger people going through rough times: Things will get better.
“As soon as you have that freedom, just seek joy, do whatever you want, as long as you’re not hurting anybody else,” Blayke said. “Seek joy and live your life to the fullest.”
Dawna Richman and Tracie Wilcox came to the Pride event to give out “Mom Hugs” to attendees. They are both part of the Jason Lee Memorial United Methodist Church and have been giving these hugs as part of a suicide prevention booth for nearly three years.
Seeing how many people needed a hug, they chose to continue giving hugs at various church events.
“Everybody needs a hug, and hugs are hugs are healthy,” Richman said.
Wilcox said giving these “Mom Hugs” has given her several moving experiences — from a 13-year-old girl being hugged more than 30 times to adult men bursting into tears during a hug that reminded them of their late mothers.
“Sometimes you don’t know why a person needs a hug, and that hug can make all the difference in the world,” Wilcox said.
