Kittitas County Pride (KCP) hosted the third ever pride parade in Ellensburg this past Saturday, and the turnout was in the hundreds. 

The event started at Kittitas County Event Center with the parade marching on 7th Ave. It looped around several streets, then ended back at the event center. There were speakers, vendors and music both before and after the parade. Many local businesses and groups participated. 

Vendors that participated included both D&M Coffee and Tacos El Cora. Blue Puppet Lab, CWU students, EHS, Helenhouse, Dru Bru, Josie’s Misfit Ranch, and many more also marched.

An employee of Tacos El Cora, and student at CWU, Ingrid Barajas, said, “The experience was very fun, I love being part of this community and being able to see a smile on everyone’s face.”

Tacos El Cora is a family business for Barajas, with her parents owning the business. They have two food trucks in Yakima that work as vendors for many local events, pride included.

Jada Madrid, a first-year musical theatre major at Central who attended said, “It was so much more than I expected it to be. I was baffled by how many people showed up to support, especially in a town like Ellensburg where being yourself can cause trouble sometimes. Everyone was just so unapologetically themselves and it was so refreshing to see with the current political climate going on in our lives. People of all orientations, ages, colors and sizes showed up decked out in rainbows and cowboy gear to celebrate love and I just think that is so wonderful. You put gays in cowboy hats and magic happeans, truly.”

Z Morris, a fourth-year graphic design major and lead graphic designer at The Observer joined with many others in representing CWU Diversity at the event, and spoke on what the parade meant to them. “I’ve been experimenting and doing drag, and drag has been a really great way for me to show the world a new part of myself and to kind of be fearless at a time where people are kind of nervous about their safety or their livelihood.” Morris had dressed in drag, their drag name being Athena Zine, while marching with CWU in the parade. 

The pride parade showcased several different forms of pride for people to celebrate. From drag queens to pride flags to attendees, ranging from children to senior citizens, everyone had a role to play in this year’s parade.

On the KCP website, Keelin Winters, the KCP president said, “Pride serves as a way to combat shame and allows all people to feel our interconnectedness. Celebrating LGBTQIA+ lives fundamentally changed the way I once thought of myself and I know it will do the same for others. I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve the Kittitas County community in this way and cannot wait to see you at our May celebration.”

Both CWU and Kittitas County Pride will be hosting several events throughout the month.