Charlotte Pride is excited to announce a new, larger venue for its annual festival, which has been held in Uptown on the third weekend of August for more than a decade. The festival will take place Saturday, Aug. 16-17, in First Ward Park, with surrounding streets (Brevard, 7th, 8th and 9th) hosting festival vendors and more.
The new location will offer 33 percent more space than prior festivals, organizers say, and this enlarged footprint will allow it to include more local, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, artists and artisans.
“In past years, we’ve had a wonderful Neighborhood Market area, but First Ward Park will allow us to expand this from one tent with about 15 vendors under it to hopefully welcoming many more small businesses and organizations, each with a larger presence,” says Meredith Thompson, Charlotte Pride Managing Director.
Activities will include a main stage with exciting performances both days; a drag pageant; a community stage showcasing local LGBTQ and ally entertainers; an expanded youth and family zone on the Great Lawn of First Ward Park; an indoor arts activation called Flourish, slated to be hosted in the Dubois Center; a health fair; a reimagined VIP Experience Pavillion and much more.
Charlotte Pride has roots that date back to the 1980s with community picnics and celebrations, although it was officially founded in 2000 and produced its first festival in 2001 in Marshall Park. The festival eventually moved to Uptown Charlotte, and the Charlotte Pride Parade was added in 2013.
“We’re getting back to our roots,” says Riley Murray, Charlotte Pride Board President.
“Symbolically, the park setting reminds us how and why we started doing this work. With rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment, Pride is more important than ever. This larger, accessible venue will allow us to welcome as many people as possible so that we can all be visible, vibrant, and celebrated.”
The two-day festival and parade on Sunday (along the familiar route on Tryon Street, starting at 9th Street) are free to attend. The festival will be easily accessible by public transportation, with Lynx Light Rail stops adjacent to the venue at 7th Street Station and 9th Street.
For additional details visit the Charlotte Pride website or check out their social media.