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 occur 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.

STAGE LINE-UP:

• 11:45 AM - Speakers: Shenna Bellows, Secretary of State of Maine, and Kay Wilkins, Local Activist.

• 12:00 - 1:00 PM - I WANT MY MTV Live Music

• 1:20 PM - Speakers: Casey Hanson, Ellsworth City Councilor, and Doug Kimmel, Local Activist.

• 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM - LASERS IN THE JUNGLE Live Music

• 3:30 - 4:30 PM - Headlining drag show performance by Curbside Queens 

OTHER EVENTS HAPPENING DURING PRIDE-FEST

• 1:15 PM - Story Time

• 2:00 PM - Talk about LGBTQ+ Media Representation

• 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. We’re happy to announce that in 2023 and again in 2024, City Council officially proclaimed June Pride Month! It’s an important, symbolic victory that gave local LGBTQ+ people something to celebrate!

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.

Thank you to our 2024 major donors!