Pridefest 2025 At Fishel Park: 'We Want The LGBTQ Community To Thrive'

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Pridefest will return to Fishel Park on June 7, bringing DJ music, a food truck and family-oriented activities that are expected to draw hundreds of people, EQDG board co-chair Enrique Reyes told Patch.

This marks the second year Pridefest will be held at Fishel Park. In previous year's the festival was "a smaller version" held at a local church, Reyes said.

He told Patch more than 400 people attended last year's Pridefest.

"This is the second year that we’re doing it bigger...in a public space with way more people," Reyes said.

The festivities will include face painting, tie-dye shirt making and a pet and costume parade. Dope Sandwiches will have a food truck onsite and several local businesses, churches and other organizations will be on hand to offer activities and information.

Reyes said Pridefest will be, not only a "good thing to do with kids on a Saturday afternoon," but a "great way to show the community the amount of support there is for the LGBTQ community in Downers Grove."

“We want the LGBTQ community to thrive," Reyes said. He explained that Pridefest has helped residents realize "Downers Grove is a safe space, a welcoming space and that we’ve got their back."

In the years before EQDG began hosting Pridefest, there were fewer resources and support systems for LGBTQ residents, Reyes told Patch.

“People who have lived in Downers Grove for many many years have told us how nice and uplifting it is to see an event like this in Downers Grove," Reyes said.

He told Patch some residents shared that in the past they "couldn’t have imagined that something like this would have happened in Downers Grove."

Now, Reyes said, new Downers Grove they "like that it’s a welcoming place. They like that they can meet all sorts of people and that families can have fun in a safe environment celebrating pride."

In downtown Downers Grove, some businesses have already started to take part in the annual tradition of painting their storefront windows with rainbows and Pride messages, Reyes said.

"We're excited to do that again and have people walk around and enjoy the artwork that we put up every June," he told Patch.

EQDG also plans to launch a GoFundMe in June to help support its events, programming and outreach for LGBTQ adults and youth in the village.

In the past year "people who disagree with our positions have been louder," Reyes told Patch. "So, it’s important for us to show that we’re here, and we’re proud, and we’re part of the community that we represent."

Click the link to learn more about EQDG.

What: Downers Grove Pridefest 2025

When: June 7 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Fishel Park; alternative rain location at Lincoln Center