SANDPOINT — As it did when it was launched five years ago, Sandpoint Pride continues to advocate and honor the community's LGBTQ+ members and their allies.

"(We want) to affirm the equality and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community, to acknowledge their contributions to society and to inspire engagement with and support for the ongoing movement to secure the rights, freedom and safety of queer and trans individuals," Andrea Marcoccio, one of the Sandpoint Pride organizers, said of the event that kicks off today.

From a few hundred people and an afternoon of events, Sandpoint Pride has grown to a three-day event that is expected to attract several thousand people, kicking off today with a host of workshops, continuing with a full slate of events Saturday and a celebration of the more than 75 volunteers it is taking to put on the event on Sunday.

This year's Sandpoint Pride will feature over 40 performers, almost four dozen advocacy and vendor booths, six food court vendors and more. In addition to the main site in the Granary Arts District, the 2025 Sandpoint Pride is being held at various locations across the community, including the Heartwood Center, Pine Street Woods, Marigold Bistro, Eichardt's Pub and the Yellow Room.

The event kicks off today with a series of workshops sponsored by the Sandpoint Alliance for Equality. Featuring a number of local and regional experts, including Dr. Michael Welp, Ammi Midstokke, Jeanne Howe and Jen Jackson Quintano, the workshops start at noon and range from learning conversational skills, First Amendment rights and storytelling.

"In our community conversations over the last 12 months, we've heard the clear need for communication tools, whether they are to support dialogue in differing values or a more cohesive relationship to colleagues and clients," Marcoccio said. "We dug deeper and we heard from our community that they want to learn to safely share their perspectives, to hold space for differing opinions and to find common ground in which every individual is valued and respected."

Conversations need to include all voices, and those leading the workshops are experts in their fields, from leadership development to writing, Sandpoint Pride officials said.

"We understand, and celebrate, that our community has a diversity of opinions, perspectives, beliefs and values, and we believe that learning how to effectively dialogue about them will help our businesses thrive, our politicians effectively represent, and our community members feel free, safe, and connected," Marcoccio said.

The event kicks into gear Saturday with a full slate of events, starting at 9 a.m. with Pride Outside. Held at the Pine Street Woods, the goal is to engage the LGBTQ+ community and their allies in a series of healthy activities. The hope, Marcoccio said, is to cultivate safe conversations, build relationships and encourage participants to share experiences. At 10 a.m., participants can choose between a wooded walk and discussion or one of two mountain bike rides.

In the greater Sandpoint area, Out & About Downtown Sandpoint invites those interested to take part in a visit business, allies and Pride sponsors and show their support for those supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

At 3 p.m., the event heads to the Granary Arts District. Held on private property, all are welcome with the main entrance located at the corner of Oak Street and the bike path. In addition to a food court, Ester the Tiny Tap Truck will be on hand and a variety of beers, wines, ciders and cocktails as well as non-alcoholic beverages will be served.

The fifth annual Sandpoint Pride advocacy fair will run from 3-7 p.m. at the Granary Arts District, offering a chance to ask questions and visit with friends new and old. Family-friendly activities will also take place at the Granary Arts District from 3-7 p.m.

In addition, bingo, trivia, best dressed contest for both youths and adults, SAFE leaders will host a brief speaking program at 5 p.m. A family-friendly drag show, concerts by Thrown Out Bones and Sideboob and a silent disco dance party are also planned.

On Sunday, events include the official cleanup party, the Rainbow Regatta on Lake Pend Oreille, and the official volunteer appreciation and afterparty.

Schedule:

Friday — 12-5:30 p.m., SAFE community workshops, Marigold Cafe and The Yellow Room; 4-5 p.m., Teen Gayme Night, Eichardt's Pub; 6 p.m., SAFE happy hour, Heartwood Center; 7-9 p.m., SAFE open mic, Heartwood Center; 

Saturday — all day, Out & About Downtown Sandpoint, various downtown businesses; 9 a.m.-noon, Pride Outside, Pine Street Woods; 10-11:30 a.m., The Mighty Peace and Justice Activist Musical Rascals of Spokane Marching Band, series of ad hoc pop-up performances at various businesses; 3 p.m., Sandpoint Pride, Granary Arts District; 3-7 p.m., LGBTQ+ advocacy fair, Granary Arts District; 3-7 p.m., family-friendly activities and art, Granary Arts District; 3:30-5 p.m., SASi bingo, Granary Arts District; 4 p.m., Youth Best of Sandpoint Pride (17 years and under), Granary Arts District; 5 p.m., SAFE speaking program, Granary Arts District; 5:15 p.m., annual drag show, Granary Arts District; 6:45 p.m., Thrown Out Bones concert; 8 p.m., adult Best of Sandpoint Pride, Granary Arts District; 8:30 p.m., Sideboob concert; 10 p.m., outdoor silent disco.

Sunday — 8:30-11 a.m., official cleanup; 12-6 p.m., Rainbow Regatta; 7:30-11 p.m., volunteer appreciation and after party, Eichardt's.

For more information, go to safe-idaho.org

    A participant takes part in Sandpoint Pride 2022.
  

    A Sandpoint Pride attendee takes a photo of speaker Adrian Morello as the Nights of Neon provide a funky jazz beat to his talk at the 2024 event.