'There's no place like home.' Here's your guide to the 2023 Louisville Pride Festival

Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read
1
A young visitor enjoys the sights and sounds of the Louisville Pride Festival, Saturday, Sept. 17 2022 in Louisville Ky.
A young visitor enjoys the sights and sounds of the Louisville Pride Festival, Saturday, Sept. 17 2022 in Louisville Ky.

Louisville's LGBTQ+ community invites you to the annual Louisville Pride Festival which returns to the Highlands neighborhood on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. between Bardstown Road and Grinstead Drive.

The theme for the 2023 festival is "There's No Place Like Home" and includes multiple events during the month of September.

“Now more than ever, we want to remind everyone that Louisville is home to many wonderful LGBTQ+ people. We are your friends, neighbors, family members, co-workers, and customers," Mike Slaton, executive director of Louisville Pride Foundation, said on the event website. "We are proud to call Louisville home, we are proud to call Kentucky home, and no one can take that away from us. LGBTQ people contribute to this city and state, and we are part of what makes it a place to be proud to live.”

Saturday's annual free street fair and concert remain the centerpiece of the expanding Louisville Pride Festival. This year will again feature 150 vendors, the Derby City Gaming VIP Lounge, Zappos Family Area, Wellness Zone, and performances on two stages.

Entertainment will be hosted by Syimone, Leah Halston, Dusty Ray Bottoms, and May O’Nays and will feature performances by Voices of Kentuckiana, John Austin Clark, Robbie Bartlett, members of the Louisville Orchestra, and more.

Saturday's festival is free to attend with a $10 donation suggested.

What events are happening during the 2023 Louisville Pride Festival?

An attendee of the Louisville Pride Festival displays pride flags, Saturday, Sept. 17 2022 in Louisville Ky.
An attendee of the Louisville Pride Festival displays pride flags, Saturday, Sept. 17 2022 in Louisville Ky.

  • Thursday, Sept. 7: Louisville Pride Festival Pride and Pups Night with the Louisville Bats

  • Saturday, Sept. 9: Louisville Pride Festival returns to the Highlands neighborhood from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. between Bardstown Road and Grinstead Drive

  • Saturday, Sept. 16: The Louisville Pride Festival Cinema Showcase at Baxter Avenue Theaters, 1250 Bardstown Road

  • Wednesday, Sept. 20: LGBTQ+ mini-conference for civic leaders and elected officials, 1244 S 3rd St. Registration not yet open.

  • Friday, Sept. 22: LGBTQ+ mini-conference for mental health providers, 1244 S 3rd St. Registration not yet open.

  • Saturday, Sept. 23: The third Louisville Pride Center Lou Name Clinic offering free legal assistance with preparing and filing name change petitions, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1244 S 3rd St.

  • Thursday, Sept. 28: LGBTQ+ mini-conference for LGBTQ employee affinity groups and non-profits, 1244 S 3rd St. Registration not yet open.

For information on all 2023 Louisville Pride Festival events visit louprideky.org and on Facebook.

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Here's your guide to the 2023 Louisville Pride Festival