We recently spoke with Lex Exworthy, the board chair of U.P. Rainbow Pride, to discuss the upcoming Pride Fest 2026 taking place at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette. Scheduled for Saturday, June 13, the festival features the “Embrace Your Nature” theme, a concept inspired by the organization's annual poster design contest. Since its inception at Tourist Park in 2014, the event has expanded significantly and officially moved to its downtown harbor location in 2022. Despite unpredictable regional weather, the festival continues to see growing crowds and is set to host more than 100 vendors alongside over 25 drag performers.
A major priority for organizers is ensuring that the daytime segment remains a free, all-ages event, which is especially important for families and individuals traveling long distances from across the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. Exworthy noted that local business sponsorships have surged this year, providing heartwarming community backing, alongside collaborations with area churches that assist with teardown and host a subsequent interfaith service. To accommodate different demographics, the festival grounds open at noon with family-friendly programming and live music. Beverages from Ore Dock Brewing Co. become available at 4:00 p.m., and the stage transitions to mature content at 8:00 p.m. for the evening drag show.
Public Radio 90's Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Exworthy about Pride Fest:
Ultimately, Exworthy hopes that attendees leave the festival feeling a sense of unity and validation. For queer and transgender individuals living in isolated areas of the region, seeing others live authentically provides a vital reminder that they are not alone. Furthermore, the event highlights the ongoing importance of regional allies while fostering an overarching atmosphere of joy through a diverse mix of live music, interactive activities, and drag performances.
Find out more at uprainbowpride.org.
