VIDEO: Upstate SC LGBTQ+ community, allies on the meaning of Pride
Members of the Upstate SC LGBTQ+ community and allies talk about the importance and meaning of Pride during Saturday’s parade in downtown Greenville.
Ken Ruinard, Greenville News
An 11 a.m. march, a drag showcase featuring two RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, and live musical performances will fill Main Street as Greenville’s Colors of Pride Festival takes place Saturday, June 27.
The festival, located on Main St. in downtown Greenville, celebrates inclusivity, welcoming people of all ethnicities, identities, orientations, and genders, according to sponsor Upstate Pride SC.
Attendees can enjoy food and music and explore offerings from more than 100 vendors. Click here for a festival map.
The march will begin at 11 a.m. Meet up at the Main Stage by 10:30 a.m. in the Graham Plaza, 300 S. Main St., in front of the Peace Center. The festival ends at 5 p.m.
Headliners for the festival are Kenya Pleaser and MHI’YA Queen of Flipss, contestants on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Due to expected heat, free water will be available at the Prisma Health and Cooling Tent on E. Broad Street.
Colors of Pride Festival schedule
Saturday, June 27 | Downtown Greenville (Main Street)
Morning events
- 10:15–10:45 a.m. — SC Pride Interfaith Service
- 10:45–10:50 a.m. — City proclamation reading by Ken Gibson
- 10:50–11 a.m. — Board recognitions
- 11 a.m.–Noon — Colors of Pride march
Festival kickoff
- Noon–12:05 p.m. — Welcome (Upstate Pride SC Board)
- 12:05–12:10 p.m. — Opening intro by host Patti O Furniture
Speakers & community program
- 12:10–1:40 p.m. — Speakers and performances
- Includes AFFA Action, Trinity Lutheran Church
- LGBT Chamber, Uplift Outreach SC Pride
- Upstate Pride Court, Lavender graduation, DJ Fuego
Entertainment blocks
- 1:40–2 p.m. — Greenville Gay Men’s Choir
- 2–3 p.m. — Drag show (multiple performers)
Afternoon performances
- 2–5 p.m. — Ongoing stage acts, including:
- Rylee Hunty, Ayden Lee
- Jessica Black, Jersey O’Lavish
- Princess Mocha, Beau D’Bishop
- Brandon Hilton, Lune, Guapo
- Love Wins Ceremony (3:15 p.m.)
- Sapphire Reign, Ava Wilds, Diamond Sanchez
- Devin Davenport, Aurora Renee
- Ervena Chloe, Paris Lefaris
- Queen of Flips, Kenya Pleaser starting at 4:30 p.m.
Wrap-up
- 4:50–5 p.m. — Closing set (DJ Fuego)
What’s new at Colors of Pride Festival and March?
- Youth and Family Zone: Enjoy games, books, and prizes for children.
- TransUnmuted Zone: Connect with other trans BIPOC and find resources in the Upstate.
- Health Zone: Participate in a blood drive and other health screenings.
- Stay Proud Zone: Stay Proud, Stay Sober tent.
- Cultural Kaleidoscope: Discover vendors from diverse BIPOC cultures.
- Second dance party stage and tent
- Prisma cooling tent with free water
- Fun extras: Spray tanning RV
What roads will be closed?
On Saturday, June 27, Main Street from Court to Falls Park Drive, Broad Street from Courtyard Valet Loop to AC Valet Loop from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m, according to the City of Greenville website.
Where to park
Free street parking is available throughout downtown Greenville, along with several city-owned garages.
Check real-time garage availability: https://www.greenvillesc.gov/513
City-owned garages offer the first two hours free, with a max daily rate of $10. (Rates for privately owned garages may vary.)
Information for this story compiled from Upstate Pride SC website and Facebook page.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.greenvilleonline.com ’
