“This is about joy. It’s about experience, it’s about existence, and being in community with one another,” said Marshall Pride committee member Julie Walker, as she welcomed people to Sunday’s Pride events at the Lyon County Fairgrounds.

Organizers said a steady crowd of people attended Pride events like a vendor fair, live music performances and community art project.

“I’m seeing a lot of new faces from previous years,” said Marshall Pride planning chair Jade Moorse. “I’m seeing a lot of youth being able to show up in this space,” as well as older people, she said. “Being able to create a space that’s safe for everyone to be who they are, regardless of their age,” meant a lot, Moorse said.

“It’s beautiful to see how much Marshall Pride has grown, and how the community has really embraced this celebration. There are people representing all aspects of Marshall that are part of the celebration,” Walker said.

Photo by Deb Gau Arts, crafts and games were part of the fun Sunday afternoon at Marshall Pride.

Festivities at the fairgrounds ranged from music and dance performances, to arts and crafts, and plenty of fun events. Visitors could meet a unicorn or mermaid, or try some active games like sparring with foam swords at the Crescent Valley Live Action Role Play group’s booth.

Several people sat on blankets or on the grass in a corner of the fairgrounds, as they drew self-portraits for a community art project. Artist SammyJo Miller said the idea behind “Portraits of Pride” was to have a welcoming atmosphere for people to join in. People could also have their pictures taken with their portraits, for a project gallery, Miller said.

Attendance at Sunday’s events came from around southwest Minnesota. One group of visitors joining in the art project said they traveled from the Montevideo area to take part in Marshall Pride.

“I’m happy to be here,” one visitor said.

One of the events Sunday was the naming of the 2026 Pride grand marshal. Organizers surprised Lyon County resident Darwin Dyce with the honor.

Photo by Deb Gau The Southwest Nkauj Hmoob dance troupe performed for the crowd gathered Sunday morning at the fairgrounds.

“At Marshall Pride, we have selected grand marshals based on folks who have made a significant impact in our community,” Walker said, as she introduced Dyce. “This is someone who’s been a part of the Marshall community for over 40 years and has done some really incredible work advocating across multiple issues, including working to secure more equitable spaces for everyone in our community.”

“When we were having a conversation about the grand marshal, Darwin was one of the people that we’ve thought about multiple years,” Moorse said.

Dyce said he was “flabbergasted,” but happy to receive the honor.

“I feel like all of us came into this existence with a mission, and I remember my mission is to make the world a better place,” he said. Dyce said children like his own grandkids remind him every day of the urgency of staying engaged with the community.

As they have done for past grand marshals, Pride organizers will be planting a tree at Independence Park in Dyce’s honor, Walker said.

Photo by Deb Gau Lars Ortego posed with a self-portrait created for the "Portraits of Pride" community art project Sunday at the fairgrounds. Artist SammyJo Miller said together, the portraits would become part of a gallery.

Marshall Pride organizers said they wanted to thank the sponsors and supporters who made the event possible, including area businesses, the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, and The Arc Minnesota, which made it possible to have American Sign Language interpreters at Pride events this year.

“This event is an act of love shared by so many people,” from sponsors and organizers to participants, Walker said of Marshall Pride. “Everyone is brought together by love, and to me that’s the most sacred thing. And it’s what brings us together, and it’s what makes things better.”

Photo by Deb Gau Dakota rapper Stubborn was one of the musical artists who performed at Sunday's Pride events.