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Voted #1 Radio Station in the Missoula Valley, Trail 1033's Official Podcast makes exclusive on-air interviews, performances, new music and interesting conversations available to you on demand.
Enjoy daily uploads following community interviews on the Morning Trail show with Robert Chase, occasional live performances from both new and landmark bands and artists. Check out the Lunchbox every weekday at Noon, as Mike Smith dishes up a great block of themed music, interviews and more. New music your thing? Every Tuesday 6PM-7PM, enjoy The New Show hosted and produced by Tommy Evans.
Catch so much more interesting and timely conversation and, of course, amazing music from Robert, Mike and Tommy - LIVE- on The Trail 1033FM in Missoula and around the world at trail1033.com every day from 6AM until 9PM.
See what we're up to at trail1033.com or give us a call at 406-721-6800
Mike Smith:
All right, one big love. We are spreading it around on Trail 103.3 with Patty Griffin. I'm Mike Smith, joined by Devin Carpenter from Missoula Pride. Welcome, Devin. How are you?
Devin Carpenter:
I'm doing great. How are you doing today?
Mike Smith:
It's great to see you. It's a beautiful day outside, wind and all, but you're always a ray of sunshine when you come in.
Devin Carpenter:
I appreciate that.
Mike Smith:
You make our office a lighter and cooler place, so thank you for coming in. Missoula Pride is coming up this weekend.
Devin Carpenter:
Yes, it sure is.
Mike Smith:
This is a grassroots effort. Anyone can come from anywhere, but this is really something you created along with others in the community. A big community group effort.
Devin Carpenter:
Yeah, it's a huge partnership that would not be possible without the support of all the other amazing queer and local organizations that have been doing the work in this community much longer than we've been around.
Organizations like the Western Montana LGBTQ+ Community Center, the Two-Spirit Society, Blue Mountain Clinic, and so many others. The ZACC always donates space, the Headwaters Foundation has been incredible, and there are just so many people who truly make this possible.
Mike Smith:
We've come a long way. Decades ago, maybe one person said, "I'd like to have something that supports people like me, or my friend, or my loved one." We've come a long way in those decades.
Devin Carpenter:
We really have. Starting anything new is always a slog, and I don't want to make it sound easier than it is because it's a lot of work. But now people are reaching out to us wanting to partner. I think that says a lot about what we've built and the support the community truly has for our community.
Mike Smith:
It's not easy, but there's got to be an element of fun. I saw this quote attributed to you: "Sometimes the best way to build community is to throw a damn good party."
Devin Carpenter:
Yes, that is a direct quote.
Mike Smith:
I love it.
Devin Carpenter:
We have a quote board that we've been meaning to put back up on the wall, and I want that one on there. You build community in a number of ways, but one of them is throwing a party, and Missoula Pride is certainly that. And everyone listening is invited.
Mike Smith:
Let's talk about allies. I remember when I first put an ally button on my hat and thought, "Okay, this is a thing." Where do allies fit into Missoula Pride these days?
Devin Carpenter:
If you're an ally, it can feel overwhelming not knowing what to do. Sometimes asking your queer friends what to do can be overwhelming for them as well.
It's important to educate yourself and stay informed. We all have supercomputers in our pockets, so there really isn't an excuse not to do some research.
Mike Smith:
It's out there. And MissoulaPride.com is actually a great resource.
Devin Carpenter:
Absolutely. The website and the community center are both great resources. The first step is awareness. The next step is showing up. Simply attending an event with that ally button on your hat says a lot.
If you're looking for the next step, volunteer. Whether it's here in Missoula or anywhere you live, volunteer for your local Pride events or queer organizations.
We still have a lot of volunteer shifts available. If you're interested in environmental sustainability, we have a huge need for our Green Team.
Mike Smith:
Green Team?
Devin Carpenter:
Yep. We partner with Home ReSource and were able to divert almost 70 percent of our waste last year. We hope to maintain and improve that this year.
We also need people helping check IDs, assisting with safety, and supporting late-night events. If you're a night owl, there are lots of opportunities.
Mike Smith:
Let's talk about the schedule.
Devin Carpenter:
There's already been programming happening all month, but this is our big week.
Tomorrow, we're co-hosting a concert with Daisy Chain Arts Collective featuring local bands and an incredible Portland-based headliner called J Graves. Tickets are available through the ZACC.
On Friday, we're bringing in Kalina Zanders, an amazing vocalist and house DJ who is currently on tour. She'll perform at the ZACC alongside local DJ McMurray.
Friday is also Juneteenth, so I want to encourage people to attend the Freedom Day Celebration at Fort Missoula with the Montana Black Collective.
We'll also have the Two-Spirit Powwow in Caras Park. After that, we're hosting a rally with Missoula Resists featuring speakers and Singing for Solidarity. That will transition into another Two-Spirit Society event, a BIPOC Variety Show in Caras Park.
All of those events are open to everyone.
Mike Smith:
And everyone is invited to the parade as well.
Devin Carpenter:
Absolutely. The parade follows the same route as the last few years. It begins at noon on the Hip Strip, crosses the Beartracks Bridge, and ends right at the Main Street Block Party.
Mike Smith:
Perfect. People can check out the parade, visit the market, head to the block party, and spend the day downtown.
Devin Carpenter:
Exactly. And if the large crowds aren't your thing, there are educational workshops and sessions happening at the ZACC and the Missoula Public Library.
You can step away from the noise and participate in something a little quieter.
Mike Smith:
Speaking of quieter, I love the idea of sensory spaces. I saw one in Seattle after a few long days of travel and thought, "Wow, I need this."
Devin Carpenter:
We do have a sensory space this year. The ZACC has been an incredible partner because it's right in the middle of the event area.
You can step in, take a break, relax, and even work on some community art projects. Home ReSource has generously donated craft supplies. Sometimes people just need a quiet place to color and decompress.
Mike Smith:
Let's talk about the block party itself.
Devin Carpenter:
We'll have somewhere between 60 and 70 vendors, including local queer makers, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations from around the community.
There will also be a few surprise art installations we haven't announced yet.
After the parade, we'll give people time to settle in, grab a drink, and explore the vendors. Around 1:45 p.m., we'll officially kick things off with welcome remarks and a few speakers.
We'll also debut our annual Love Letters video project, which features community members sharing their experiences as allies and queer individuals.
At around 2:30 p.m., local band Déjà Vu takes the stage, followed by Corey Fay and the Good Goddamn.
Our drag showcase, produced by local legend Christina Drake, begins around 4:55 p.m.
Then we move into our headliners: Hercules & Love Affair, KAINA, and of course, Bob the Drag Queen.
Mike Smith:
Let's talk sponsors. There are too many to name, but it has to feel good seeing all that support.
Devin Carpenter:
It really does. One fun example is Draught Works and the Sapphic Pale Ale.
Mike Smith:
It's a great beer.
Devin Carpenter:
It really is. More than 20 local businesses are serving it throughout June. For every pint sold, one dollar goes directly to support Missoula Pride.
Those donations help us keep events free and accessible.
We've also received support from the Missoula Tourism Business Improvement District, Clearwater Credit Union, Target, Gilead Sciences, the Headwaters Foundation, and our title sponsor this year, Spark1.
Mike Smith:
And if someone can't make it downtown but wants to help, they can always donate at MissoulaPride.com.
Devin Carpenter:
Absolutely. Donations are open year-round.
We've always taken a grassroots approach. Every little bit helps. Many of our nighttime events are offered as suggested donation. We're never going to turn someone away because they can't afford to attend.
Even a dollar helps make this event possible.
Mike Smith:
Let's wrap up with some final thoughts.
Devin Carpenter:
This is our fifth year, and as a team we've spent a lot of time reflecting on how far we've come.
We still have moments where we have to pinch ourselves. It's incredible to see what this community-driven event has become.
Organizations from Missoula and across Montana come together to create spaces for queer joy, education, connection, and belonging.
There are still many places throughout Montana and across the country that can feel isolating. Events like this create opportunities for people to connect and feel fully themselves, even if it's only for a few hours.
That's a win in my book.
Mike Smith:
Thanks for coming in, Devin.
I want everyone to know that Trail 103.3 cares about everybody. Be safe, take care of each other, and have fun.
Devin Carpenter:
Happy Pride.
Mike Smith:
Happy Pride. Thanks for coming in.