HASTINGS, Neb. – June is pride month all across the country, and in Nebraska, Hastings is getting the celebration going early.

On Sunday, June 2, Hastings Pride is back for its 5th official year and is offering several activities for the public to help support the LGBTQ community.

Attendees can march down Burlington Ave. led by the parade of flags, which will be followed by speakers, nonprofit displays, photo booths, food vendors, live music, and more.

Hastings Pride Director Randy Kottwitz has been the face behind organizing this event for several years and offers this advice if you're on the fence about attending.

"Just come out and relax, you will make new friends, you will find new chosen family members," said Kottwitz. "It is that sense of community, that sense of belonging you will feel if you get there. You just have to come out."

The event starts at 2 p.m. Sunday at Highland Park.

Last year, Nebraska Senator Michaela Cavanaugh spoke at the event, and this year, Hastings Pride will hear from Senator John Frederickson, who was the first openly gay man to be elected to the Nebraska Legislature.