Pride is an important part of celebrating our identities and collective history as LGBTQ+ individuals. In rural areas, these celebrations can be especially important, as queer individuals in rural areas often report experiencing more feelings of isolation than their urban counterparts. Because of this truth, and with Pride Month being right around the corner, it’s important to highlight rural pride festivals located within Kentucky, as well as their dates, times, and locations for your convenience. Come out and show your support and queer joy at one or more of these festivals this summer! 

Richmond Pride Festival:

Richmond, Kentucky is in the southeastern part of the state. Richmond is still a fairly small town despite its status as a University town, and the 2025 Pride festival will be only its fifth pride celebration ever! This event will take place on Saturday, June 7th from Noon to 8pm EST on East Water Street in Richmond, KY. Richmond Pride organizers are still searching for volunteers for the event. You can find more information about volunteering, attending, or view vendor spotlights on their Instagram or Facebook pages. 

photo provided by Richmond Pride.

Mt. Sterling Pride:

Mt. Sterling, a small town in Eastern Kentucky, is celebrating its fourth annual Pride festival this year. This Pride festival will be complete with activities, vendors, and live entertainment shows in the afternoon. Mt. Sterling Pride will take place from 10am-4pm EST on Saturday, June 7th, located at the Dubois Community Center. You can find more information on their social media pages!

photo provided by Mt. Sterling Pride.

Glasgow Pride:

Glasgow, in the southwestern part of the state, is hosting its second annual pride event on Sunday, June 8th from noon-4 pm CST at 115 Beaver Trail. Glasgow Pride’s goals include promoting the diversity that exists within the LGBTQ+ community, and work toward equity for all individuals. You can find more information on their website:https://www.glasgowkypride.org/

Photo provided by Glasgow Pride

Paducah Pride United Together:

This will be Paducah’s third annual pride festival, as in 2024 they had to cancel due to a lack of funding. Paducah is in the far west and south of our state. Paducah Pride aims to use funding for the defending of LGBTQ+ rights. Go support Paducah Pride on June 14th, from 11am-8pm CST at the Paducah-McCracken Co. Convention & Expo Center. Find more information, and volunteer and media creation opportunities on their social media pages.

Augusta Pride in the Park:

Augusta is an incredibly small town in Kentucky, making it even more important that there is an LGBT+ pride celebration in such a slightly populated area. This organization aims to bring together diverse communities. This will be their third annual celebration, taking place at Noon EST on June 14th, at Augusta River Park. More information is available on their social media pages. 

photo provided by Augusta Pride.

Owensboro Blue Bridge Pride:

Owensboro is in the western part of the state. The organization, Blue Bridge Pride, works with Unity Fellowship to celebrate pride in the Owensboro area. This event will take place on Sunday, June 22 starting at Noon CST. It will be located at the Owensboro Unity Fellowship. More information is available on their Facebook page. 

Corbin Pride:

The organizers of Corbin Pride are always working to bring more LGBTQ+ events to the Corbin area. Corbin is a small town in the southeastern part of Kentucky, having a population of around 8000 people. Corbin Pride is still looking for vendors and volunteers, so check out their Facebook page for details! This event will be held from 11am-4pm EST on June 28, located at Nibroc Park in Corbin. 

Henderson Pride:

Henderson, Kentucky is a fairly small town in the western part of Kentucky. The first ever Henderson Pride festival was held in 2024, and it will now be returning for its second year ever on Saturday, June 28th from 2pm-9pm CST at Central Park in Henderson, Kentucky. This organization strives to advocate for inclusivity through community-based action and conversations. To learn more about the organization or the festival, visit https://www.hendersonkypride.org/. 

Murray Pride:

Murray is located in the far southwest of the state. The organizers of Murray Pride are active within the community there, and recently held an open board meeting to discuss the details for the upcoming Pride festival. Murray Pride, which is in need of volunteers and vendors, will take place on August 30th, and more information will be available soon via their facebook page. 

Kentucky Black Pride:

Kentucky Black Pride is an organization that was founded in 2016 to promote pride and awareness for queer and transgender people of color. This Pride festival takes place a bit later in the year, from September 11-14th at Noon-7pm each day. Kentucky Black Pride Festival is located in Woodland Park, Lexington Kentucky. To be a sponsor, vendor, or just to gain more information, go to their website at https://www.kentuckyblackpride.com/. 

photo provided by Kentucky Black Pride.

The Pride of London Picnic:

London is a small town with a population of about 8,000 people. It is in the southeastern area of the state, very near the Daniel Boone National Forest and Corbin. This organization strives to promote awareness of LGBTQ+ issues, as well as providing education and a safe environment for all diverse people and minority groups. The Pride of London Picnic will take place on Saturday, September 20th, and more information will become available on their Facebook page as we draw closer to the date. 

Photo provided by London Pride.

Pikeville Pride:

Pikeville Pride has been celebrating pride events since 2018, founded partially in response to a 2017 neo-Nazi march. Now, Pikeville pride brings hope and joy to rural Kentuckians, in a small town of only around 7500 people in southeastern Kentucky. Pikeville Pride will take place in Appalachian Wireless Arena Park, PIkevilleKentucky on September 27th. Check out their social media accounts for more information!

photo provided by Pikeville Pride

Capital Pride Festival:

Our state capital, Frankfort, will be having a pride festival later this year. While it is our capital, Frankfort is a fairly rural area. It is very centrally located within the state. The Capital Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, October 11th. You can find more information on their website at https://www.capitalprideky.org/

Attendees at Capital Pride. Photo provided by Capital Pride.

Danville Pride Festival:

Danville, which is southwest of Lexington, has started celebrating pride in their area within the past couple of years. Danville Pride is currently searching for vendors of many types. More information on that is available via their Facebook page! The 2025 Danville Pride festival will take place on October 18th. It begins at Noon EST at the Danville Pioneer Playhouse. 

Attendees at Danville Pride. Photo provided by Danville Pride.

Bowling Green Pride: 

Bowling Green, in the southwestern part of Kentucky, started loudly celebrating Pride in 2017. It is organized by Bowling Green Fairness. Just before the end of LGBTQ+ history month, this event will take place on October 25th from Noon to 5pm EST at Circus Square Park.

Bowling Green Pride attendees at the end of the parade route at Bowling Green City Hall. Photo provided by Bowling Green Pride

Chill Out & Proud Somerset:

Somerset is a small city in the south of Kentucky. This organization aims to promote support from allies for marginalized groups in their community. They strive to host events for LGBTQ+ folks in the Appalachian area. This event takes place October 25th on Festival Field, located at Somerset Community College. There will be drag shows, activities, and a sensory creation space. Donate, volunteer, be a vendor, or find out more at their website: https://chilloutandproud.org/

Attendees at Chill Out & Proud Somerset. Photo provided by Chill Out & Proud Somerset.