Ames Pridefest

Ames Pridefest is the annual LGBTQ+ Pride celebration of Ames, Iowa, organized by the nonprofit Ames Pride (founded 2017). It is held each fall — typically in October, timed to the Iowa State University academic calendar — in downtown Ames around 5th Street and Douglas Avenue and the Ames Public Library. The free, family-friendly festival features vendor and community booths, live entertainment, and drag performances. Holding Pride in the fall rather than June is a deliberate choice so students and staff at Iowa State can participate.