The Sawtooth Botanical Garden (SBG) is presenting its third annual Pride in the Garden Festival June 11–17. All but one 21+ event are family-friendly and open to all ages. The festival endeavors to celebrate the LGBTQAI+ community and its allies, and also serves as a fundraiser for the nonprofit botanical garden. Tickets and information are available at sbgarden.org.
The festival began on Sunday, June 11, at Forest Service Park in Ketchum.
It will resume again on Wednesday, June 14, at the SBG for Pride in the Garden: Enchanted Garden, 5:30–9 p.m. Doghaus performs live, showcasing traditional ’70’s Pride tunes while local Chef Esta cultivates a delicious picnic dinner, so bring your lowback chairs and blankets. A hosted bar includes beer, wine, cocktails, and nonalcoholic beverages. Fun, educational and fundraising components will delight the crowd. The June 14 event costs participants $100 and is inclusive of food, drink and entertainment. Youth participants who would benefit from financial assistance to attend should contact SBG executive director Jen Smith at jen@sbgarden.org, as a generous benefactor has underwritten youth participation at all of the events.
On Thursday, June 15, SBG teams up with Sun Valley Resort for a free screening of “They/Them: One Climber’s Story” at the Sun Valley Opera House. According to Patagonia, the film’s producer, “‘They/Them’ follows Lor, a trans climber, into the sandstone canyons of northern Arizona, on a journey to piece together one of the hardest and most inspiring routes of their life. By embracing the strength in vulnerability, Lor has found the space to thrive and build a climbing community that others like themselves can call home.” Grab dinner beforehand with friends or a date. Movie starts at 7 p.m. “Building a community that is respectful, kind and open to all is important to us at Sun Valley Resort. We are thrilled to partner with the Sawtooth Botanical Garden on these events,” said Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Sun Valley Resort.
The party moves south to Hailey for a 21-and-older Drag Show at The Mint on Friday, June 16. The show begins upstairs at The Mint at 7 p.m. Show entry cost is $40 and seating is limited.
Finally, shake out those cobwebs for the Pride Ride bike parade starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 17. Parade participants are encouraged to bring their wheeled transportation and your most colorful costumes for this free event that includes tacos and sodas at Despo’s in Ketchum. Find the beginning of the route starting at 10 a.m. at River Run upper parking lot, where you can put the final touches on your ride. Festivities will conclude in Hailey at The Mint on Saturday evening for Drag Bingo starting at 5 p.m. Your first bingo card costs $30 and each additional card is $20. Drinks and food are available for purchase.
Visit sbgarden.org or call (08) 726-9358 for information and tickets.