VA Pridefest, presented by the Virginia Lottery, and one of the largest celebrations of the LGBTQ community in Virginia, will return to Brown’s Island from Noon-8:00 pm this Saturday, September 24 for what organizers expect to be the most well-attended event in its four-decade history. The free event will feature entertainment on two stages, 10 food trucks and more than 120 non-profit and merchandise vendors.
Headline entertainment on the Truist Main Stage includes the Queen of Bounce, Big Freedia, Leikeli47, a rap artist with ties to Virginia and Celebrity Drag Queen, Rosé from RuPaul’s Drag Race. The jam-packed line-up includes local bands and regional acts, DJs, drag performances and much, much more. The CarMax Youth Pride Pavilion will offer a full day of entertainment, activities and vendors for LGBTQ and allied youth and their families from a second stage.
“After three long and challenging years, we are so excited to be back on Brown’s Island for Pridefest,” said James Millner, Director of Virginia Pride. “Our team has been hard at work for months to plan and organize an event of which our community and this city can be proud and that truly celebrates diversity, inclusion and kindness.” VA Pridefest is supported by a record 35 corporate and business partners this year including the Virginia Lottery which signed on as the presenting sponsor in 2021. Other supporters include Tito’s Handmade Vodka and some of the Richmond region’s largest employers such as Capital One, Truist, CarMax, Bank of America, Altria and Amazon.
“There is simply no way we could do what we do were it not for the support of our corporate partners and those that work for them,” Millner explained. “They’re the reason Pridefest is free. And while we use Pridefest to thank our sponsors, the partnership we have with them endures 365 days a year and goes far beyond a financial donation. We are beyond grateful.”
What to Expect:
• VA Pridefest is one of the largest outdoor festivals in the Richmond region. It features local, regional and local entertainment acts on two stages, one of which is for youth and families.
• The event is free to attend with food, drinks (including alcohol for those 21 or over), and merchandise for purchase.
• The McShinn Foundation will host a safe, sober, alcohol-free lounge for those who are in recovery or that do not consume alcohol.
• ASL interpretation will be available on the Main Stage throughout the day.
• The event will begin at Noon, Saturday, September 24, and end promptly at 8:00 pm.
• Parking is a challenge, and we encourage attendees to rideshare or carpool, especially if you plan to consume alcohol.
• Attendees are allowed to bring two unopened bottles or one refillable container of water with them into the event. Bags are subject to search by security.
VA Pride is a program of Diversity Richmond