Rainbows took over the streets of Downtown El Paso as the city celebrated the 2025 Sun City Pride Parade.

El Pasoans marched and rode from City Hall to Houston Park, where the celebration continued with a picnic on June 21.

Although the Fort Bliss Color Guard was not present this year after DEI programs were removed, the national anthem was still sung before the parade started and the El Paso Pride Color Guard led the parade.

El Pasoans dress as superheroes for the “We Are the Champions, Not All Heroes Wear Capes” themed 2025 Sun City Pride Parade in Downtown El Paso on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

“I'm excited to see what they have, going on,” said Lucyiliana Piercey, who was attending the parade for the first time. ”A lot of people here supporting everybody, the community growing, that they have support here in El Paso. I like that like a family community.”

Gustavo Reveles, director of communications for the Canutillo Independent School District and a member of the State Board of Education, said he’s been attending the parade for years and remembers when it was much smaller.

Ben Fyffe, managing director of Quality of Life for the city of El Paso, said he has seen the event grow both in size and popularity. "More importantly, seeing the amount of spectators who are out here supporting grow over the years,“ he said.

El Pasoans cheer and wave pride flags during the 2025 Sun City Pride Parade in Downtown El Paso on Saturday, June 21.

Both served as grand marshals for this year’s parade.

"It is really a crazy, surreal experience," Fyffe said. "I think after working in this community for so long and, to be recognized for that, not just by the larger community, but also by, the LGBT community is really special."

Flags waved through the streets as the community came together, with water passed around throughout the hot morning.

"For me, it's really just a culmination of, all the work that people in this community do and to be able to represent them and, and to come out as, representative of the queer community in El Paso just for the work that we do, every day, is amazing," Reveles said. "I think, everyone who was a grand marshal this this year does amazing work to really move the community forward and to really represent the LGBTQ community here in El Paso."

This year’s theme, “We Are the Champions, Not All Heroes Wear Capes,” inspired many to dress as superheroes.

"I think it shows the resilience of El Pasoans and the fact that we continue to celebrate diversity and inclusion," East Side city Rep. Ivan Niño said. "And, it makes me very proud to be part of this community."