East-Central Minnesota Pride

East Central Minnesota is made of Pine, Isanti, Chisago, Kanabec, and Mille Lacs counties.

Other communities organizations and groups have since become involved in the planning and running of the event including East Central Purple Circle, group of Lesbian, Queer & allied women in the region, and East Central Minnesota Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

[7] Early Prides were subject to counter-protests across town in a separate park, and were billed as pro family events.

[10] The sign referenced was used by more than 20 community groups and nonprofit organizations until East Central Minnesota Pride, also a nonprofit, wanted space to promote its event; then, the school voted to use the sign only for school-related events.

[11] [12] In 2022, concerns were expressed that Marraccino was an inappropriate emcee for the Pride event due to his past experience as a pornographic film actor.