In a stunning display of… something, Mayor Mildred McCheese, known for her staunchly 'traditional' views (and suspiciously strong cheddar aroma), was spotted at this year's Pride parade. However, instead of her usual power-suit, she donned a dazzling rainbow-colored cow costume, complete with oversized udders and a frankly unsettling amount of glitter.

Sources say the Mayor, who famously once declared a 'straight pride' month (which consisted solely of a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new dairy farm), was initially unrecognizable. 'I thought it was just a really enthusiastic dairy mascot,' commented parade attendee Brenda Higgins, 'until I heard her booming voice bellowing “Mooove over, homophobes!” from beneath the cow head.'

The Mayor's office released a statement claiming it was all a 'misunderstanding,' and that the Mayor was merely 'conducting extensive market research on the dairy consumption habits of the LGBTQ+ community.' This statement was immediately followed by a second, slightly more frantic statement clarifying that the 'extensive market research' primarily involved sampling rainbow-colored cupcakes and participating in a spirited 'YMCA' dance-off.

The incident has left the city in a state of bewildered amusement. Local cheese shops are reporting a significant drop in cheddar sales, possibly due to the unexpected competition from a Mayor-in-a-cow-costume offering free 'pride-flavored' milk shakes (ingredients remain undisclosed). The mystery surrounding the Mayor's true motives, however, remains as cheesy as ever.