Letter to the Editor: "We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and energy from throughout the Decorah community."

(The following Letter to the Editor has been submitted by the Decorah PRIDE Committee - Alex Enriquez and Amalia Vagts (Co-Chairs), Storme Barr, Daniel Brown, Andrew Ellingsen, Holly Moore, and Charlie Strange):

"Thank you for your recent coverage of the 2018 Decorah Pride Parade and Festival. As the organizers of Decorah's first ever LGBTQ+ Pride parade and festival, we are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and energy from throughout the Decorah community.

Thank you to Mayor Borowski, City Manager Chad Bird, the Decorah City Council, and the Decorah Human Rights Commission for your work to create a community that welcomes diversity. A special thank you to Decorah Police Chief Bill Nixon, Capt. Scott Herrmann, and Sgt. Mandy Groth for your friendly presence and efforts to ensure a safe event. Thank you to Oran Deen-Lester for creating the fun and quirky "Pride Marchers" artwork for our signs. Thank you to all of the wonderful Decorah businesses that hung rainbow flags in your windows - you created a sea of color and joy in the downtown district. Thank you to all of the generous sponsors who donated money and services to make the first Pride possible. Thank you to amazing volunteers who stepped in and took on all kinds of jobs. Thank you to all of the people who spoke, sang, and performed to help all of us understand why we were gathering. Thank you to all of beautiful, creative, and love-filled Parade participants and group organizers!

Lastly, thank you to every person who showed up to support us, who cheered, smiled, and enjoyed the day. Thank you especially to all of you who are part of the LGBTQ+ community in Decorah, or who have loved ones who are LGBTQ+. We know that not all are yet able to celebrate on the street and so the Parade continues.  Our hearts are full after a weekend of love in our community. We will see you at 2019 Pride!"