In this episode, host Phil Tower sits down with Jazz McKinney (they/them), Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Pride Center, to look ahead to one of the city's most vibrant and impactful summer traditions: the 2026 Grand Rapids Pride Festival.

• Dates & Times:

  • Saturday, June 20 (12:00 PM – 10:00 PM)

  • Sunday, June 21 (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

• Location: Calder Plaza, Downtown Grand Rapids

• Theme: "Together We Glow"

• Admission: General admission is free (donations are highly appreciated).

• 38 Years of Pride: How the vision for the Pride Festival has evolved since its inception in 1988 into one of the city's largest events.

• Festival Footprint & Guidelines: What to expect at Calder Plaza this weekend, including city guidelines designed to keep the space streamlined for community safety and joy (service/therapy animals only; no external signs or banners inside).

• More Than a Party: The critical connection between attending Pride Fest and funding the Grand Rapids Pride Center, as the festival serves as their largest annual fundraiser.

• Year-Round Support: How festival donations directly fuel vital community programs, including the Therapy Assistance Program (TAP), the Health Equity Program, and an array of peer social and support groups (Youth, BIPOC, Timeless Pride Connections, and Trans/Nonbinary groups).

The Grand Rapids Pride Center is the longest-running LGBTQ+ resource center in Michigan.

To learn more about their services, year-round programming, or how to support their mission, visit their website or stop by the center.