Blue Ridge Pride Festival

It's time for some Inclusion, Y'all!
That's the theme of this year's Blue Ridge Pride Festival, taking place at Asheville's Pack Square Park on Saturday, September 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is Western North Carolina's largest Pride event, typically attracting 14,000 to 18,000 people.
Two stages feature some of the most noted musical and DRAG talent in the region. Over 100 organizations that focus on social justice, community service, health care, faith, education, and the LGBTQ community will be on hand. Another 100 local employers, merchants, artists, food concessions, and service providers will round what may Asheville's largest, most diverse collections of exhibitors to gather for a day of advocacy, service, education, and celebration.

Welcoming WNC Procession
We kick off the festival with a 10 a.m. procession through Asheville and Pack Square Park. This procession - a parade of people - is free to anyone who aspires to a vision of a WNC community that is welcoming to all. We encourage companies, organizations, groups, families, and individuals to join.

Festival Week Events
We are working with the rest of the community to create a week of exceptional events leading up to the big day. Currently scheduled events include The Art of PRIDE, a Silent Disco Pride Party, Midnight Madness with the Beer City Sisters, and a SPLASH Pool Party.

Entertainment
The festival's two stages feature some of Western North Carolina's most talented local artists, including Melissa McKinney, Kayla and the Change, Mar and Mermaladies, Fancy and the Gentlemen, Lo Wolf, Laura Blackley, Miriam Allen, and David Zoll. In the late afternoon, the main stage will feature the Rocky Horror Music Show and our famous DRAG showcase.

Exhibitors and Vendors
The Blue Ridge Pride Festival brings together the largest and most diverse community of exhibitors in Western North Carolina. Fully half of the 200+ exhibitors focus on social justice, community service, health care, faith, education, and the LGBTQ community. The other half represent local businesses, merchants, artists, food caterers, and service providers. Where else can you fill your soul and your stomach with so much variety?