SPENCER, Ind. (Oct. 6, 2026) – Spencer Pride marked a major milestone on Saturday, October 3, as the organization hosted its 20th annual Spencer Pride Festival, welcoming an estimated 5,500 LGBTQ+ Hoosiers and allies from across the region for a day of entertainment, education and community connection in downtown Spencer.
The festival, Indiana’s largest rural pride festival and one of the nation’s most recognizable celebrations of rural LGBTQ+ life, featured programming throughout downtown Spencer, the historic Tivoli Theatre and the Spencer Pride commUnity center. Attendees enjoyed live performances, educational workshops, wellness activities and family-friendly programming, while a marketplace featuring more than 130 local businesses, artists, community organizations and food vendors served as a hub of activity throughout the day.
“This year’s festival was especially meaningful because it marked 20 years of creating community in rural Indiana,” said Joy Hellman, board member of Spencer Pride. “Our theme, Changed for Good, reflects our commitment to creating lasting and meaningful change. We are here to stay.”
To reflect the Changed for Good theme, festival organizers embraced butterfly symbolism in both the festival logo and the handmade decorations crafted by volunteers.
“I love putting art into what we do at Spencer Pride,” said Terry Urban, Craft Nights program lead and local artist. “Being able to imagine something, create it, and then watch it become even better than you envisioned. That’s what art does. And that’s what Spencer Pride does.”
Entertainment remained a centerpiece of the festival. Throughout the day, attendees gathered for drag performances emceed by Pat Yo Weave and enjoyed a diverse lineup of musical acts, including Quarryland Men’s Chorus, Tipsy Teasedale and friends, Southern Indiana Taiko, Gravy Bird, and Lyn Rye. Across downtown Spencer, families explored hands-on activities, outdoor games, and interactive experiences that brought visitors of all ages together. Some favorites included the Rainbow Birders’ Birdy Scavenger Hunt and WonderLab Science Museum’s Wonderfest activities.
The festival also showcased Spencer Pride’s ongoing commitment to education and wellness. Visitors participated in a COMMUNITY Yoga class, the “Queer Joy” poetry workshop, Drag Queen Storytime, an author discussion with Josh Vidmar and an educational presentation by GLSEN award-winning educator Ace Schwarz. Festivalgoers also connected through Spencer Pride’s year-round programs, including tabletop gaming with Rainbow Rollers, line dance lessons with Rainbow Dancers and a seasonal birding presentation hosted by Rainbow Birders.
Health and wellness services were available throughout the day, including a community blood drive and free HIV and STI screenings provided by local health partners. These offerings reflected Spencer Pride’s year-round mission to improve quality of life for LGBTQ+ people and allies in south-central Indiana.
Accessibility remained a key focus. Free shuttle service sponsored by Boston Scientific transported attendees between parking areas and festival locations. Accessible parking, sign language interpretation, low-sensory accommodations and the fully accessible Spencer Pride commUnity center helped ensure participation for attendees with a wide range of needs.
Organizers expressed gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers, performers, vendors, sponsors, and community partners whose support made the event possible. The festival remained free to attend and open to all. Spencer Pride also recognized the support of sponsors and partners including Boston Scientific, C.H. Douglas & Gray, Novo Nordisk, Oliver Winery, Simtra, Compass Rose Farm Sanctuary, and media partners WBWB-B97, WFHB Radio and Limestone Post Magazine.
The celebration concluded with Spencer Pride’s annual After Party, where attendees gathered for live music from Justin Teague, bingo and an opportunity to continue celebrating the organization’s 20-year legacy.
“Spencer Pride builds on a long history,” said Jake Taylor, Spencer Pride’s executive director. “It’s a local history, a national history and a global history. Pride is a story, and we are still in the beginning.”
Twenty years after its founding, Spencer Pride continues to demonstrate that visibility, belonging and community flourish in rural Indiana, bringing people together from across the state to celebrate, learn and build community.
