The high temperatures did not keep Athens residents indoors this weekend.
Athens’ annual PrideFest was held on Saturday in downtown Athens, beginning at 3 p.m. and originally set to last until 10 p.m. The parade began at 5 p.m.
As residents anticipated the parade, vendors began to offer candy, stickers and other novelty items across Washington Street, closing off traffic. The sun was shining bright and attendees cooled themselves off with rainbow hand-held fans.
“I think this year is probably more important than ever,” Trent Farr, member of Athens Pride and Queer Collective and one of the PrideFest organizers, said. “When we kicked off the first pride parade ever in Athens history and had over 3,000 people show up, we recognized the need for a large festival, which is why we moved it downtown. So with this festival today, the turnout has been unbelievable.”
A dj plays music during the 2025 PrideFest, hosted by the Athens Pride and Queer Collective, in downtown Athens, Georgia on Saturday, June 7, 2025. The parade looks to celebrate and uplift the LBGTQ+ community, while also bringing together people from all backgrounds and identities.
As the speakers blasted Lady Gaga, crowds gathered at the booths, which ranged from small to larger businesses. A Pastry Plug booth gave participants the chance to get crafty. The booth from The Banyan Tree Center offered self-care resources. The Athens-Clarke County Democrats were also present and offered resources from their booth. Vendors ranged from medical practices to libraries.
“’I’m hoping people see my booth and realize that there’s a doctor that is here for them, that will treat them without any kind of bias and treat them with dignity and in a safe place, and offer services that not many other doctors in this community offer to them,” Dr. Josh Estep, one of the few doctors in the area offering gender affirming care, said. The Greenleaf Direct Primary Care booth included resources for those seeking it.
Carmen Champaign, Parade Grand Marshal and owner of Grail Bra Specialists waits for the Pride parade to start in downtown Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Champaign was given the honor of Grand Marshal due to her business’s long-standing partnership with the Athens Pride Collective. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)
As 5 p.m. rolled around, those in attendance lined up on College Avenue and E Clayton St, where the parade took place. The parade consisted of floats with glitter, drag and dogs in rainbow bandanas and others walking behind the floats, all cheering and waving.
“It’s kind of really nice to see right now, because it’s just been so [defeating] lately with just everything going on,” said film crew member Marco Frascione, who visited from Atlanta. “I never thought I’d miss corporate pride, but it kind of really [sucks] to see these big brands like be like ‘Hey, we’re not doing it this year because, you know, the president [hates] gay people and trans people.’”
After the parade, participants on Washington Street continued to celebrate with drag performances and vendors. A crowd gathered near the stage near 40 Watt Club as several drag queens lip synced to an Ariana Grande cover of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Rainbow umbrellas were used as props.
“It’s really nice to see younger, queer kids walking around like some young trans kids,” Frascione said. “It was just really nice to just see happy gay people and an environment that was not so miserable.”
When many of the festivities ended early because of sudden bad weather, attendees dispersed around downtown in Pride apparel. The pride continued at several events including a dance party at Puma Yu’s, a cabaret at Hendershots and celebrations at Sister Louisa’s Church well into the night.
