On June 20, the Rexburg community met at Porter Park to celebrate the annual Rexburg Pride event.

The festival included live music, arts and crafts, contests, vendors offering their services and a Unity Walk to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Dragon Dads, a nonprofit, were at the event to offer comfort to those who requested it — whether through a fist bump, a hug or someone to talk with.

The Dragon Dads is a nonprofit organized by a group of fathers with LGBTQ+ kids who came together to find a way to love and support their kids, and fellow kids who may not have that support system.

"We try to be a support group for kids who maybe don't have a dad in the picture, and also a support group for dads who might be new to the LGBTQ+ community," Darren Hawes, a member of the Dragon Dads, said.

Hawes shared that "learning to love our kids shouldn't be difficult."

Cheers were heard as attendees found their friends. Groups gathered, chatting amongst one another. They could be found playing yard games, painting and attending various booths.

"The event today has been heartbreakingly beautiful. It's been amazing to watch the community come together," Greg Larsen, a fellow Dragon Dad, said.

"The heartbreaking part is that people need the hugs, meaning that there are a number of youth, and even adults, who don't have supportive parents, who need what we're offering, which is just that affirmation, love [and] acceptance," Larsen said.

An attendee, who wants to be referred to as Chloe, said that she has attended the last three Rexburg Pride events.

"There are more people here than last year. It makes me so happy to see others be their authentic selves," Chloe said.

Chloe hopes that attendees will start coming to the Pride House every Thursday in Rexburg so fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community will still be around others just like them.

"I love coming to Pride Fest! It is nice to be around people that are just like me, especially since I can't be myself at home," Chloe said.

Many attendees said they love the community they had found at the Pride Fest, finding friendships with others who understand what it may feel like to not fit in with family at home or in Rexburg.

"I feel like [pride events are] so essential for our area so that my people who might feel like they are alone know that they have community and people who care," Jayenna said.

Jayenna is one of the first faces that attendees saw when they entered the event. She stood at the first booth with an inviting smile, welcoming guests and offering them maps to where all of the booths are located.

"I love that we're having this, so people like me could just feel accepted and loved," Jayenna said.

"My experience at Pride every year has always just been so joyful. I just feel the support," Jayenna said. "I love seeing the different, colorful people, the outfits, people expressing themselves."

Other attendees expressed that in certain areas of their lives, they feel like they have to conform to the norm, while at Pride events, they can be their true selves.

"You can tell that it really means a lot to people. There's a little bit of shyness in something because maybe they're not used to being out in the open like this, "Jayenna said.

Jayenna has one wish when it comes to others starting to understand the LGBTQ+ community,

"I wish that people understood that, regardless of, you know, personal opinions or ideologies, that they should understand that people deserve to feel safe," Jayenna said.