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See how Kansas City celebrated Pride with triumphant parade, festival

By Sophia Buonpane

June 7, 2026 6:02 AM

Member of the Kansas City Sizzlers Drill Team and Drumline dances down the street during the Kansas City's Annual Pride Parade at Westport Rd on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Sophia Buonpane sophiabuonpane@kcstar.com

Kansas Citians brought out their rainbow flags, makeup, outfits and other swag en masse this weekend for Pride in the 51st year of the beloved festival celebrating the LGBTQ community in Kansas City.

Families, friends and community members lined the street to watch the local organizations, businesses, public figures and performers strut through midtown, then the party continued at Theis Park throughout the afternoon. There will be further events at the park Sunday.

Several attendees Saturday spoke about how important going to the event and celebrating LGBTQ identities feels right now, amid attacks on trans rights and other movements.

“For myself, Pride means so much now just to show forth how far we’ve gone,” parade attendee RJ Hutcherson said. “And not just that, but to show that we can overcome anything, any obstacle whether it’s political or even environmental. We are there for each other.”

The Star’s Sophia Buonpane was on hand to capture the event in images. Here’s what she saw.