GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -Rainbow flags flew high in downtown Gainesville today as the community came together to celebrate Pride.

Thousands filled Bo Diddley Plaza Saturday afternoon, celebrating love, acceptance and community at the 2025 Gainesville Pride Festival.

The day-long event featured live music, food trucks, local artists and a headlining performance by Crystal Methyd from Season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Lindsey Beukelman, an attendee and pastor at University Lutheran, said Pride is important because few events leave people feeling better about life and the world.

“I think pride is super important and there are few things that when you leave you’re going to just feel better about life, about people, about the world and also I am a pastor at a local church at University Luth

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