St. George Pride Festival celebrates life and love

Photos by Darren M. Edwards

People from all over Southern Utah gathered in their brightest rainbow gear on Saturday, June 25 at Vernon Worthen Park to celebrate the first-ever St. George Pride Festival. There were games, live entertainment, and a short program, but more than anything else there was an overwhelming feeling of love and joy in the air unlike anything I’d experienced before. All you had to do was make eye contact with a stranger to provoke the most sincere and loving of smiles.

The event was organized by the St. George Pride Festival Committee, which included Linda Stay, Stephen Lambert, Cody Ham, Christie Gulber, Nancy Ross, Rae Hensley and two Desert Hills High School students who wished not to be named. Local food trucks were onsite to provide food to keep people energized in the hot summer weather. As part of the event, funds were raised for the new LGBTQIA Inclusion Center on Dixie State University’s campus.

Kyleigh R. Hatsey, who volunteered at the check-in desk with her wife, Jessica Hatsey, said it was one of the best times they’d ever had.

“It was so great to be surrounded by so much love,” said Hatsey.

The event was best summed up by Elise Mortenson West, a member of the Pride Festival Committee.

“I don’t even know where to begin,” said West. “This event was long overdue and so needed in our town, evidenced by approximately 1,000 people who supported our St. George Pride Festival 2016, held today at Vernon Worthen Park! We were hoping for a couple hundred. A phenomenal committee, over 40 volunteers, and sponsors who came out of nowhere who wanted to be involved and our beautiful St. George community! Today, my heart was full. There were so many families and people of all ages who attended, which was an amazing site. Immense gratitude for the committee who worked tirelessly the past 10 days to pull this off. People came from Salt Lake, Mesquite, Las Vegas, Colorado City and beyond.”

“Next year? More food vendors, booths, a parade and a conga line,” West added. “We could not be more thrilled. My cup runneth over, and I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight. Be the change you wish to be … all we need is love.”

I’ve attended religious services of many denominations and spent time in some of our most remote and scenic outdoor areas, but the time I was able to spend at the first ever St. George Pride Festival was one of the most spiritual experiences I’ve ever had.

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