Pat Christman
The Free Press
MANKATO
September 17, 2006 12:41 am
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Rainbow-colored flags, banners and shirts streamed through Old Town Mankato Saturday morning during a parade at the South-central Minnesota Pridefest. Organizers of the annual festival added the parade to the festival in Sibley Park as a new way to promote visibility and pride for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and ally communities in the area.
The annual celebration has grown since a small volunteer committee organized the first Pridefest in 2002. The grass-roots festival has developed into an organization that not only supports people with a variety of different lifestyles, but serves as a platform for change and inclusiveness in the community. This year’s festival honors one of the pioneers of the first Pridefest in 2002, Tamara Berven. The festival concludes today with a worship service.
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Photos
Jake Kittridge participates in the South-central Minnesota Pridefest parade Saturday in Mankato. The parade was added to the annual celebration this year.
The Free Press
The South-central Minnesota Pridefest parade marches down Riverfront Drive Saturday morning. The Free Press
Jessica Flatequal videotapes Saturday’s parade. The Free Press