Norfolk Area Pride hosting 4th annual festival

NORFOLK, Neb. — Norfolk Area Pride is set to kick off its festival on Saturday with the debut of a new location for the activities.

The festival's theme this year is "True Colors," and organizers with Norfolk Area Pride hope it shows the organization’s desire to give support to those in the LGBTQ+ community.

2024 marks the fourth year of the event taking place in Norfolk.

Organizers have seen the event grow over the past years and say it helps keep the younger generation in the area and state.

Norfolk Area Pride president Jen Ippensen hopes the event gives a chance for people in the LGBTQ+ community to feel like they belong.

“We hope that they gain a sense of community and connection, that they know they are loved and accepted," Ippensen said.

Board Member of the organization Stephanie Mattern said the celebration helps make Nebraska an attractive place to live.

“I feel like if we want to keep Nebraska, specifically Norfolk, Nebraska, youth around this part of the state, we need to be inclusive," Mattern said. "We need to let them know that they’re welcome here. Everyone is welcome here.”

Activities throughout the day include axe throwing, live music, and keynote speaker, Stacey Waite, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln associate professor in college's English Department.

Events will be held at the Elkhorn Valley Museum’s Verges Park starting at 12 p.m. and running until 4 p.m.