Ogden Pride has selected themes each year to reflect a call to action for the community. Each year, we host a community planning meeting to hear from them on what our theme should be. We find community support and input really brings the whole process full circle.
Over the years, themes have included actions that may have been the focus in the state, country, or globally. Below is the history of our themes & important event dates:
March 20, 2015
The first fundraising event was held benefiting the festival. At Alleged, community entertainers held a drag show. There was even a local stand up comic with great jokes. The event was a success with over 100 people in attendance. That night the theme for the first annual festival was announced.
August 1, 2015
The first annual festival theme was provided by the graphic designer who designed the original Ogden Pride logo and selected among a list by the board of directors. The theme selected that year was a homage to the city theme of Ogden “All within Reach”.
Festival attendance was between 300 – 500 people. The Ogden Amphitheater plaza was filled with vendors and organizations. Entertainment included local acts, drag queens & kings, and more.
“Love within Reach”
May 14, 2016
The first 5k Fun Run was held in support of fundraising for the festival. Held at MTC Learning Park, the Fun Run would soon become a part of Ogden Pride tradition.
August 6, 2016
The second annual festival theme was also among the list provided by the graphic designer who designed the original Ogden Pride logo and selected by the board of directors. The theme selected that year was festival! ;)- Ogden Pride will be proud we went there first! Attendance more than doubled, and everyone had a blast.
“Pride Elevated”
July 2016
Ogden Pride added another festival event to the mix with the first annual Poetry Contest in collaboration with Booked on 25th.
The winner that year was Patrick Ramsay.
August 5, 2017
The 3rd annual festival theme was the results of a community planning event held in the beginning of the year. A group of more than 30 people showed up to participate in ideas about activities, entertainment, committees, and yes the theme.
In 2017, the nation witnessed the ushering in of an unlikely leader, and the rise in anti-LGBTQ politics. The call to gather and be a strong community was important.
The 3rd annual festival also saw the addition of activities from a single day to double events, with a collaborative hosted event with the Imperial Rainbow Court of Northern Utah. The 1st annual Pride Weekend Youth Drag show the night before was held in support of Ogden OUTreach Resource Center.
“Rise Together with Pride”
February 16, 2018
In 2018, Ogden Pride and OUTreach merged to bring the Youth OUTreach program under the Ogden Pride umbrella. The business merge brought new life, a new program, and the beginnings of more for the organization to focus on. No longer was Ogden Pride just a festival planning group. They were now a community resource focusing on youth support and developing activities and programming.
The launch event ushered in a new logo as well. While many loved the train from the original logo, the board of directors felt a clean look would be much more sustainable. The original logo creator once again brought Ogden Pride the clean look they were going for. We will always love the train and it’s connections to Junction City.
August 4, 2018
The 4th annual festival theme was the results of the second annual community planning. An group of eager community members showed up once again to participate in the festival planning.
The theme coming from the increased attacks on the transgender and non-binary community. Vigilance in allyship was in high demand. The community could no longer stand back and be silent.
“Stand OUT, Speak UP”
August 4, 2019
The 5th annual festival theme came about as the nation and world was celebrating and honoring the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots of 1969.
Embracing our past, standing proud and Encouraging our movement forward, would Empower us as a community. The tie-dye theme throughout was a homage to the hippy movement of the 60’s.
“Embrace, Encourage, Empower”
August 4, 2020
The 5th annual festival theme came about as the nation and world was celebrating and honoring the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots of 1969.
Embracing our past, standing proud and Encouraging our movement forward, would Empower us as a community. The tie-dye theme throughout was a homage to the hippy movement of the 60’s.
“Embrace, Encourage, Empower”