Special Announcement:
Pride Month Proclamation will be discussed at the NEXT Ellsworth City Council meeting on May 20 at City Hall at 6:00 PM.
ELLSWORTH PRIDE
Ellsworth Pride is a volunteer community of local LGBTQ+ people and allies who plan and execute Pride events such as PrideFest, one of the largest FREE annual events in Ellsworth. PrideFest takes place at Knowlton Park every June. The committee meets every month (more frequently leading up to the festival) and is supported by generous donations from many local businesses.
2024 June Pride Month Event Calendar
PrideFest at Knowlton Park on Sunday, June 9, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LGBTQ+ (and allies) Hike at Woodlawn Trails on Saturday, June 15, 2024 starting at 10:00 a.m. - Rain or Shine
Intergenerational Coffeehouse Chat at Flexit Café on Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 1 to 3 p.m.
PrideFest 2024
Ellsworth PrideFest 2024 will take place on Sunday, June 9th from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Knowlton Park. This is a FREE, annual, family-friendly event for people who embrace diversity and love.
See below for our planned festivities. A full schedule will be posted soon!
PROGRAM
Headlining drag show performance by Curbside Queens
Live music performed by I Want My MTV and Lasers in the Jungle
Speakers: Shenna Bellows, Casey Hanson, and Local Activists
Story Time
Food trucks and booths
Art and craft booths
Artist and maker vendors
Sponsor and organizational vendors
Merch (t-shirts, fans, ribbons, temporary tattoos and much more!)
And more!
We recommend bringing cash, sun protection, water, family and friends. In the event of rain, the show will go on! Check the local forecast and bring rain gear if needed.
Public Parking
Public parking will be available at the following locations:
Mill Mall, a 6-minute walk to Knowlton Park
St. Dunstan’s Church on State Street after 12 p.m.
City Hall parking lot, an 8-minute walk to Knowlton Park
Moore Community Center
Local street parking, where permitted.
Wood Street is NOT available for public parking during the event.
History of Ellsworth Pride
The first Ellsworth PrideFest took place in 2021, inspired by passionate youth voices from Ellsworth High School’s Gender/Sexuality Diversity Alliance (GSDA). PrideFest 2021 celebrated the rainbow crosswalks at the high school and middle school and reunited the community in the wake of the pandemic. It provided a welcoming and joyful space for LGBTQ+ individuals and local community members to honor Pride Month. The first PrideFest in Ellsworth created a new tradition of acknowledging the importance of equal justice, opportunity, and expression for and by the LGBTQ+ community, as well as an occasion for all community members to enjoy Pride festivities together.
In 2023, Ellsworth Pride proposed that the City of Ellsworth officially designate June as Pride Month. On May 15, 2023, City Council officially proclaimed June Pride Month! It’s an important, symbolic victory that gave local LGBTQ+ people something to celebrate! Please join us Monday, May 20th at Ellsworth’s City Council meeting to show your support to renew our local Pride Month designation.
In January 2024, Ellsworth Pride and Bar Harbor Pride hosted the Curbside Queens for a night of drag at The Grand sponsored by Fogtown Brewing. The local LGBTQ and ally community turned out, nearly filling the theater! It was a fabulous time! Check back for more upcoming Pride events.
Heart of Ellsworth is the fiduciary agent of Ellsworth Pride.