By Ben Schrag

It’s always wonderful to see downtown Ames come to life with any of our large community celebrations! Farmers’ markets, art festivals, and outdoor live performances are all part of what makes downtown special. Did you see those pictures from RAGBRAI? Downtown is a wonderful place for our community to gather together. These large events are an economic boon and a feather in our community’s collective cap.

Of all the reasons to gather downtown, I’m particularly excited for Pridefest. Part of being in community with each other means supporting and caring for everyone in our community. Ames is made up of people who are young and old, gay and straight, cisgender and trans, and many different races, backgrounds, and ethnicities. We are a town full of many different people. Pridefest offers us another opportunity to celebrate community – and an important one.

Pridefest shows that there is place for all Iowans, no matter who they are. We know that representation matters. Belonging and acceptance has a positive effect on mental health. That is true for anyone, but particularly for LGBTQIA+ Iowans. Pridefest is a chance for the rest of us to show support and solidarity.  That’s how community should work, after all.

This weekend, Ames Pridefest returns to our downtown with an outdoor festival featuring vendors and entertainment.

As a public library that takes seriously its responsibility to serve all the public, we will be hosting Pridefest programming, some of which we’ve hosted since the festival began in 2017. These programs include a family storytime, a panel for caregivers, a presentation from Iowa Safe Schools, and a legislative update. The “Are You Okay” Art exhibit is on display in our vestibule and a recording of the artist’s presentation will be playing in our lobby.

So, come on downtown this weekend for a community celebration! And, while you’re here, pop in the library for a Pridefest program. You can even celebrate Pridefest by checking out a book! Ask our staff to help you find a book by an LGBTQIA+ author or one that centers LGBTQIA+ stories.

We are a public library and we are here to serve the public. That means seeing the people who comprise the public and making space for them. Pridefest is a great chance to enjoy downtown, enjoy the library, and celebrate everyone in our community. I hope to see you there!