Democratic presidential hopefuls will fan out across Des Moines’ East Village this weekend to enjoy the Capital City Pride Fest.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Mayor Pete Buttigieg will kick off events Friday evening. Gillibrand is expected to make an appearance at the Blazing Saddle at 7 p.m. Friday, while Buttigieg will speak at the Matthew Shephard Awards Banquet in Des Moines.
Pride events will continue Saturday morning, and Congressman Beto O’Rourke plans to wake up early. He will run in the Pride Fun Run 5K, which begins at 8 a.m.
Two big events scheduled later in the day Saturday for those who are interested in the 2020 race include a “meet the candidates forum” that begins at 1:30 p.m. at 711 E. Locust and the Iowa Safe Schools Pride Tailgate, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at 600 E. Court Ave.
Doors will open for the candidate forum at 12:15 p.m. and expected speakers include O’Rourke, Gillibrand, former Congressman John Delaney, Marianne Williamson, Andrew Yang, Governor Jay Inslee, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Congressman Tim Ryan.
Nate Monson, Executive Director of Iowa Safe Schools, is also expecting a number of candidates, including former Governor John Hickenlooper and Senator Cory Booker, to drop by the Safe Schools Tailgate.
The tailgate is the only Pride event set up specifically for teens. It’ll include barbecued food and a variety of games. It will be identifiable by the two 20-foot tall tube men that’ll be set up at the party.
Candidates will also make some individual appearances all around Des Moines Friday and Saturday. Those are scheduled as follows:
Friday, June 7
Hickenlooper tours The Foundry in Valley Junction
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: The Foundry, 111 S. 11th St., West Des Moines
Delaney Meet & Greet
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Wobbly Boots Roadhouse, 1301 NW 114th St, Clive
Chasten Buttigieg Meet & Greet
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Raygun, Des Moines
Pete Buttigieg speaks at the Matthew Shepard Awards Dinner
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, 833 5th Ave., Des Moines
Gillibrand Kicks Off Capital City Pride at Blazing Saddle
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: 416 E. 5th St., Des Moines
Saturday, June 8
O’Rourke at the Pride Fun Run 5K
Time: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Location: Brenton Skating Plaza
Delaney at the Des Moines Farmers Market
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: 300 Court Ave.
O’Rourke Immigration Round Table
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Grand View University Student Center, 2811 E. 14th St.
Gillibrand is a Featured Guest at the Iowa 2020 Book Club
Time: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Location: Downtown YMCA, 501 Grand Ave.
John Hickenlooper Meet & Greet
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Des Moines Farmers Market
Hickenlooper attends Iowa Safe Schools Pride Tailgate
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Des Moines’ East Village
Buttigieg speaks at the Capital City 10 Years of Love Reception
Time: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Iowa State Capitol, 1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Cory Booker Attends Iowa Safe Schools Pride Tailgate
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: 600 E. Court Ave., Des Moines
Senator Gillibrand Walks Around Capital City Pride
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Blazing Saddle
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Gazali’s at the Drake Campus
*This story will be updated as more information is provided.
Capital City Pride Fest doesn't start until tomorrow night, but @RepCindyAxne is already helping make some drag taters with the kids at Iowa Safe Schools this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/hQ5KJQam5s
— Paige Godden (@PaigeGodden) June 6, 2019
by Paige Godden
Posted 6/6/19