Photo Essay | Lanesboro’s First-ever Pride in the Park

Nearly 200 people turn out to support newly formed Lanesboro Pride group

By Julie Fryer, June 24, 2025

Five people holding photo props stand on either side of a rainbow striped banner with the words "dam proud". The banner is hung on the side of a tall pavilion in a park.

A group of friends pose for a photo with fun props provided by event organizers. (Photo by Julie Fryer)

LANESBORO – Despite it being a toasty 95+-degree day, Lanesboro’s Sylvan Park filled with kids, adults and pets dressed in rainbow gear to take part in the community’s Pride in the Park on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

This free, family-friendly event offered yard games and kite flying, coloring and craft projects, and cookies and ice cream, along with plenty of resources and support for LGBTQIA2S folx and their families.

“We had such a successful day with Pride, albeit HOT,” said organizer Tamara DeGarmo. “We saw between 150-200 people and so much love, acceptance, joy, community and gratitude from people about this being the first of many Pride events in Lanesboro.

“We met people who had traveled here for the single purpose of being here for Pride celebration,” she said. “It was an overwhelming experience (in a good way) for many of us.”

A black dog wearing a rainbow striped bandana holds it head up to be petted while closing its eyes and sticking out it's tongue.

Even the dogs enjoyed the day in the park! (Photo by Julie Fryer)

At the end of the event, Lanesboro Mayor Alicia Pearson and a large group of event volunteers took the stage to greet the crowd and draw raffle tickets for prizes ranging from umbrellas to kites.

To wrap things up, organizers grabbed a pair of oversized scissors to cut a rainbow ribbon signifying Lanesboro Pride’s membership in the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce.

Root River Current contributing photographers Julie Fryer and Renee Bergstrom were on hand to capture the event for this photo essay:

Contributor

Julie Fryer

Julie Fryer is a marketing and writing consultant who helps small businesses navigate the world of ecommerce. She lives in Chatfield, MN and is an avid gardener, sugarmaker and camper with a full bookshelf of to-be-read books.