Riverfront Park was filled with color Saturday as thousands gathered for Salem’s annual Pride in the Park.

Booths featuring local artists displayed crocheted stuffed animals, jewelry and prints, while several local churches painted faces with Pride flags and glitter.

Salem Capital Pride holds the celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in September, outside of June’s Pride Month, because performers and vendors are less busy.

“With our mission, it’s Pride all the time,” President Zachery Cardoso told Salem Reporter. “We’re queer all the time, so we should have Pride all the time. So we try to celebrate throughout the entire year.”

That pride was visible from the stage of the Gerry Frank Amphitheater, as drag queen Lylac, who grew up in Salem, spoke tearfully about the joy and support she’s

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