Knoxville TN Jan 11, 2022, Beau Knowles Knox LGBT Businesses

Knoxville hasn't had an in-person Pride Festival in 2 years. In 2020 Knox Pride wisely decided to postpone the Knox Pride Festival 2020 due to the pandemic, then in 2021 Knox Pride opted for a Digital Online Festival, titled DigiFest which had poems, yoga, bingo, -and-comedy. I know celebrating pride and being proud isn't just one day or now 3 days a year, but it will be nice to get out to see our "Community Family" together again. ~Beau

Knox Pride announced in a LIVE steam of their monthly board meeting on Tuesday, that they are moving the 2022 Knox Pride Festival to Fall of this year. The festival will now be a 3-day event, which is the first of its kind for our area.  Knox Pride President John Camp stated, "we are still a FREE festival".  Here is the list of the 3 days of events.

Knox Pride Festival 2022 Sept 30-Oct 2 2022 Friday Sept 30 Evening Parade down Gay Street., Saturday Oct 1 Pride Festival at World's Fair Park, Sunday Oct 2 Brunch and Shopping with Vendors at World's Fair Park

Mr. Camp explained, "For the month of June different organizations will be doing things, we will be doing things as well. We felt like October would be a little bit cooler...Organizations like South Side Pride will continue to do their events." Changing the event to the fall will coordinate with the 1-year anniversary of the opening of the (Knox Vocational) Pride Center. The Pride center is open throughout the year. 

When asked about South Side Pride looking for a new lead organizer John replied, "We have a meeting to talk with them coming up this month...we aren't looking to run another entity, but we will be happy to assist." 

Along with more events, to include Affirmation Days, Knox Pride is helping the Community Action Committee's Homeless Youth Program Youth Wins to assist their youth by organizing a giving tree in December, classes in the coming months, and their current effort to help a youth find furniture for their new home. Contact Knox Pride or Youth Wins to find out how you can help.  

If you have any questions about this news blog email Beau at knoxlgbtbusinesses@gmail.com