2026 PrideFest Accessibility Guide

Celebrate love, diversity, & community at this year’s PrideFest! This event takes place in the heart of downtown Athens & features live music, a variety of local food trucks, an inclusive vendor market, & a vibrant Kid Zone with inflatable play areas, face painting, & other family-friendly activities.

ALL are welcome & encouraged to join in the celebration, & we are committed to making the event as accessible as possible to everyone.

To read the Accessibility Guide on Google Docs, click here.

ACCESSIBILTY MAP

EVENT TIMELINE

MOBILITY ACCESS

SENSORY ACCOMMODATIONS

DIETARY & ALLERGY

PARENTS OF SMALL KIDS

Accessibility Map

The map provides an overview of Athens PrideFest layout, including key areas & amenities to help you plan your visit & navigate the space comfortably.

Highlighted on the Map:

  • Stage – Locations of live music & performances. 

    • Located at the intersection of Pulaski St. & Washington St.

  • Food Truck Alley – A variety of vendors offering diverse menu options. 

    • Located along Hull St.

  • Vendor Fair – Local artists, organizations, & community booths.

    • Located along Washington St.

  • Kid Zone – Inflatables, face painting, & activities for children & families. 

    • Located along Washington St. between Lumpkin St & College Ave.

  • AthensBorn Birth Services Family Oasis (marked as a red star) - Cool, kid-friendly area, offering shade, snacks, & a quiet spot for families with little ones.

    • Located inside the Kid Zone between the Books for Keeps Bus & Inflatables.

  • Quiet Corner (marked as a quiet zone sign)– Sensory-friendly tent with seating area. 

    • Located next to the first aid tent on Hull St.

  • Misting Tent (marked as a blue thermometer) - A shaded spot with refreshing mist to give you a break from the heat. 

    • Located between Ted’s Most Best and Rook and Pawn. 

  • Restrooms – Including accessible portable toilets. 

    • Located at the intersection of Hull St. & Washington St. behind the food trucks, as well as inside the kid zone at Washington St. & N Lumpkin.

    • **NOTE: Restrooms inside other indoor facilities may require purchase of food/beverage.

  • Water Monster (Marked as water glass) – FREE hydration refill station. 

    • Located on Hull St. near the first aid tent.

  • First Aid (Marked as red cross) – Medical tent for minor injuries & health needs. 

    • Located on Hull St. across from the Morton Theater.

  • APQC Merch Tent (Marked as a pride heart) – General assistance & lost & found. 

    • Located on Washington St. opposite El Paso.

  • No Parking Zones (Marked with no parking symbol) – These areas are private parking closed for other events on the day of PrideFest.

    • This includes 40 Watt parking and AFUMC.

    • Cars may still be parked there, but are not related to the festival.

If you need assistance navigating the event, our staff & volunteers are happy to help!

Event Timeline

3:15 PM: Perfomances from:

Belli Dance Company

Joy Ride

3:40 PM Music By:

DJ Charlieflower

Ryne Meadow

5:00 PM: Parade Begins!

Brief performances to take place on E Clayton between N. Lumpkin & College Ave.

5:45 PM: Music By:

Weatherproof

7:30 PM Performances From:

Athens Showgirl Cabaret

The Bombshells

8:00 PM: Kids’ Zone Closes

*After 8:00 PM shows are not suitable for children.

**There will be stage lighting for performances after 8:00 PM which may involve moving lights, but we have requested no strobing effects!

8:00 PM: Drag Performances From*:

Tina.

Karmella

Hellacia

Hazel Moon

Wyntour

Blair Minimum

Jacey Rockett

Dior Luxx

Honey Nicole

9:00 PM: Drag Performances From**:

Jacqueline Daniels

Extasy Grey

Eros Etoile Brooks

DJ Saturn

10PM - 2AM: Official After Party

Puma Yu’s

355 Oneta St Suite D400A

Mobility Access

We are committed to making the Athens Pride Fest accessible to guests who use wheelchairs, mobility devices, or need step-free access.

Pathways & Surfaces: The event takes place on slight incline, paved city streets & sidewalks that are wide, unobstructed, & suitable for wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, & strollers. 

Transportation & Parking:

  • Accessible parking spots are located in the Washington St. parking deck.

  • Event staff & volunteers can assist with navigating from parking to the festival area.

  • We may be able to shuttle individuals who need assistance from the parking deck with appropriate notice! Please email steph@athenspride.com to coordinate.

Entrances & Navigation:

  • All entrances to the festival zone are step-free & wheelchair accessible.

  • Curb ramps are available at key crossing points.

  • Volunteers at entrance points can assist with directions or support.

Accessible Facilities:

  • Accessible portable restrooms are located on both sides of the street behind the food trucks on Hull St.

  • Seating areas with space for mobility devices & companion seating are available near the stage.

  • A drop-off zone for guests with limited mobility is available on Pulaski behind the stage.

We will have stools available for rent at the AQPC Merch Tent. Rent it 100% refundable once the stool has been returned!

Sensory Accommodations

We recognize that large, busy events can sometimes be overwhelming. To support guests with sensory sensitivities, anxiety, neurodivergence, or anyone needing a break, Athens PrideFest offers a Quiet Corner & Sensory Space.

The Quiet Corner Tent is located on Hull St. across from the Morton Theater.

What to Expect:

  • This space is designed to be a low-stimulation environment where guests can relax & recharge!

  • Features include:

    • Noise-reducing curtains

    • Seating area

    • Ear plugs

    • Fidget/sensory items (available to borrow)

    • Coloring supplies

    • Minimal foot traffic

Guidelines: 

Dietary & Allergy Info

We are committed to creating a safe & welcoming environment for all attendees, including those with food allergies or sensitivities. Please review the following information regarding allergens at Athens PrideFest:

Food Vendors & Ingredients:
Vendors are encouraged to offer allergy-friendly & dietary-specific options such as gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegetarian, & vegan choices. However, we cannot guarantee that any food served at the festival is completely free of cross-contact with allergens.

Severe Allergies:
 If you or someone in your group has a severe food allergy:

  • We recommend bringing your own safe snacks or meals if possible.

  • Inform vendors of your allergies before ordering.

  • Look for clearly marked vendor menus or ask staff for ingredient details.

  • In case of emergency- call 9-1-1. While we do have a first aid tent, volunteers are not paramedics & will not be equipped with an epipen.

Bringing Personal Food:
Guests with dietary restrictions or medical needs are welcome to bring personal food or beverages into the festival.

Allergen Information From Our 2026 Food Vendors:

We requested allergen information from ALL vendors, here are their answers:

  • Our Icys are free from most major allergens . The majority of our standard icy flavors are dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, cholesterol-free, and manufactured in a peanut-free facility. Icys like chocolate and coconut have dairy but I plan to only have our standards like cherry, mango, strawberries, etc which are vegan-friendly. My helpers are trained to answer any questions.

  • La Parilla

    1. Do ANY of your menu items contain the 7 major food allergens : peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, shellfish. If so, can you specify which menu items?

    Yes- most menu items contain wheat flour

    2. If an allergen is present are substitutions/omissions allowed? 

    No

    3. Do you have separate dedicated utensils to prepare if a food allergy is declared? 

    Not applicable

    4. Are you using any ingredients with the label "may be processed in a facility that contains [list of 7 major allergens]"? If so, are these ingredients which may be left out of a dish so there are only whole (unprocessed) ingredients? 

    Not applicable

    5. If you are using oil to fry or saute ingredients, what type of oil do you use? 

    Vegetable Oil

    6. Do you have any vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free options? 

    Yes - grilled veggies & rice

    7. If you have gluten-free options, is this treated as a preference (likely to have cross contamination with wheat products) or as an allergen (dedicated utensils, etc)? 

    Not applicable

    8. Are the staff on site trained to answer questions about allergens that are not on the list of major allergies such as sesame, corn, strawberry, etc? 

    Yes


  • Michellen Matcha includes dairy in all of our drinks, but we have oat milk available as well for lactose-intolerant people. The oat milk and whole milk is poured in separate containers and all other ingredients are prepared in allergen free areas.

  • 1. Do ANY of your menu items contain the 7 major food allergens : peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, shellfish. If so, can you specify which menu items?

    [No answer] 

    2. If an allergen is present are substitutions/omissions allowed? 

    [No answer]

    3. Do you have separate dedicated utensils to prepare if a food allergy is declared? 

    [No answer]

    4. Are you using any ingredients with the label "may be processed in a facility that contains [list of 7 major allergens]"? If so, are these ingredients which may be left out of a dish so there are only whole (unprocessed) ingredients? 

    [No answer]

    5. If you are using oil to fry or saute ingredients, what type of oil do you use? 

    Vegetable oil

    6. Do you have any vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free options? 

    No

    7. If you have gluten-free options, is this treated as a preference (likely to have cross contamination with wheat products) or as an allergen (dedicated utensils, etc)? 

    NA

    8. Are the staff on site trained to answer questions about allergens that are not on the list of major allergies such as sesame, corn, strawberry, etc? 

    No

  • Our drinks are served in glass take home mason jars.

  • No Answers.

  • No Answers.

Parents of Small Kids

We recognize that large, busy events can sometimes be overwhelming. To support guests with sensory sensitivities, anxiety, neurodivergence, or anyone needing a break, Athens PrideFest offers a Quiet Corner & Sensory Space.

The Quiet Corner Tent is located on E Washington St., directly in front of Trappeze Pub, shown on the map as a Fidget Spinner.

AthensBorn Birth Services | A Family Oasis

APW is creating an oasis for little ones (babies, toddlers, younger kiddos, and their adults) who need a peaceful spot to get away from the noise & heat of PrideFest activities. Their goal is to provide whatever families appreciate having access to while outside with their littles in the summer for a few hours: shade, water, snacks, toys, & rest!

*Marked with red star on the map - Located inside the Kids’ Zone, between the Books for Keeps Bus & Giant Yard Games!

What’s Available:

  • Shade tent

  • Diaper changing station (with wipes)

  • Kid-friendly snacks

  • Legos/baby toys

  • Chairs for nursing parents & anyone who needs a rest

  • Blankets on the ground to play and lay on

Inclusivity & Privacy:
This space is open to ALL parents & caregivers. Breastfeeding is welcome throughout the festival, but this designated area is provided for those who prefer a more private, low traffic setting.

PrideFest

Checklist

    • Sunscreen 

    • Hat or Sun Visor

    • Sunglasses

    • Hand Sanitizer or Wipes

    • Water bottle

    • Electrolytes

    • Mobility support items (i.e. collapsible stool, cane, walker, etc.), if necessary

    • Essential medications (i.e. Inhaler, epipen, heart meds, glucose monitor, etc.), if necessary

    • N95 mask, if necessary

    • Weather appropriate clothing

    • Comfortable shoes

    • Extra clothes for kids in case of accidents

    • Special dietary items, if needed

    • Snacks for kids

    • Collapsible water bowl

    • Poop bags

    • Short leash

    • Feet pads or shoes, if you have them

    • Phone & portable charger

    • Cash/card for food or vendor stalls

    • Noise-canceling headphones or ear plugs (for sensory sensitivity)

    • Pride flags, signs, or accessories!