BEMIDJI — For the 2026 Bemidji Pride event, the people who make the event happen decided to look back at their past.
“When we began to look back, it was always that the origins of Bemidji Pride were rooted in love,” said Rayne Heck, Marketing Director of Bemidji Pride. “When we were looking at the people who started it, where it got started, where the first funding came from, when we did: it was all people who wanted to support folks in our community.”
The 2026 theme is titled “Rooted in Love,” with a focus on how this event got started and how they have continued to grow over the years. It begins on Aug. 26 and continues through Aug. 29.
One noticeable change over the years is Bemidji Pride's attendance numbers. In the early days, around 500 people would attend, but more recently, those numbers jumped to the 1,500 to 2,500 range.
Bemidji Pride's grant funding has also increased, and it has become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The organization currently has a Board of Directors, around 20 event planning members and plenty of volunteers to help out.
People from all over the country attend Bemidji Pride. Heck said last year, people from as far away as Seattle and Ohio attended. This is in addition to people from North Dakota, South Dakota and the communities around the Bemidji area.
Tickets for all the events are available on the Bemidji Pride website, with more information about the weekend’s activities and volunteer opportunities posted online.
Listen to the full conversation with Heck and Phineas Holmes by clicking above.
Bemidji Pride 2026 schedule
Thursday, Aug. 27
- Queeraoke (karaoke) with Pride Support Network - 6 p.m. at Rail River Folk School.
Friday, Aug. 28
- A Few Tales: Patrick Scully - 6 p.m. at Rail River Folk School. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure Jeopardy-style interactive performance. Recommended for audiences aged 15-plus.
Saturday, Aug. 29
- Bemidji Pride Family Festival - Noon-5 p.m. at Rail River Folk School. It will feature food vendors, children’s activities, music and more. The festival is free to attend.
- Kids and Crowns Family Friendly Drag Show featuring Transcendence Cabaret and local performers - 3-5 p.m. at Rail River Folk School.
- Divas After Dark Drag Show - Doors open at 7 p.m. at Rail River Folk School. It is an 18-plus show and will have an Icons of Pride dance party after.
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
