Eastern Kentucky University students will host Pride in the Plaza on Oct. 14 after a new state law barred the school from officially sponsoring the annual event.

The celebration, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Powell Plaza, will feature community vendors, local food trucks, student organizations, drag performances and free activities including face painting and crafts. A limited number of free event T-shirts will also be available for students.

In previous years, EKU directly sponsored Pride in the Plaza. But the passage of House Bill 4 in 2024 prohibited public universities in Kentucky from organizing events that fall under diversity, equity and inclusion programming. Students say their efforts to organize this year’s festival independently are meant to ensure LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion remain part of campus life.

“By hosting Pride in the Plaza ourselves, student organizations are sending a clear message: celebration, visibility and community can’t be legislated out of existence,” organizers said in a statement.

Event sponsors include local businesses and community organizations that provided financial contributions. Organizers said any funds remaining after the event will be donated to a Kentucky nonprofit supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

Community members, alumni and local supporters are invited to attend. More information is available on the event’s Facebook page, “Pride in the Plaza.”