Overnight temperatures in the 50s gave way to a sunny, comfortable setting for Athens’ Pride Picnic, held Sunday, Sept. 9 at Lake Herrick Pavillion.
The picnic has been held each year since 1998. Before 2011, Athens Pride was limited to a cookout in April. The full Athens Pride weekend in its current form took shape last year.
For 2012, Athens Pride events ranged from a reception hosted by GLOBES, the University of Georgia’s LGBT faculty/staff group, to bowling, an artist showcase, nightlife parties, a church service and a commitment ceremony.
June might be National LGBT Pride Month, but fall is when Pride season really heats up in Georgia. In addition to Black Gay Pride in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend, four areas around the state host Pride events in September, followed by the massive Atlanta Pride in October.
The second annual Athens Pride Weekend, set for Sept. 6-9, features several events rather than one large festival. It launches Sept. 6 with the 18th annual GLOBES reception at the University of Georgia and an after-party, and concludes Sunday, Sept. 9, with a Pride church service at Our Hope MCC, a commitment ceremony, a Pride picnic at Lake Herrick Pavilion at UGA, and a cabaret.
The same weekend, Savannah Pride pulls out all the stops for the city’s 13th annual Pride Fest, planned for noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, in Forsyth Park.
Organizers behind the 2nd annual Athens Pride Weekend hope to expand on last year’s success by adding several additional events, including bowling and a community artist showcase.
2011 was the first year that Athens celebrated Pride outside of the spring.
Several additional events have been added to this year’s calendar, says Ricky Roberts, Athens Pride treasurer.
The biggest challenge of adding events, Roberts says, is finding local venues that are willing to donate their space for little or no cost. All of this year’s events come with a $5 suggested donation, but Roberts says that no one will be turned away if they can’t afford to donate.
Organizers behind the annual Athens Pride festival have announced details of this fall's upcoming event.
This year's festival will be held Sept. 6-9. Last year was the first year that Athens celebrated Pride outside of the spring.
Organizers wanted to move the festival to the fall to get students out and mixed into the community at the beginning of the school year.
The festival unofficially kicks off with a pre-Pride happy hour at The Go Bar from 8-10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31.
Over the course of several days last week, hundreds of Athens, Ga., residents turned out for the first Athens Pride to take place in the fall.
“It was always just the picnic before, and I always felt — even though they were nice and you got to mingle — we were still hidden,” said Mike Chadwick, chair of Athens Pride this year. “By doing the events downtown I think we got a lot more participation. I was thrilled at the group there on Friday night at Dragaoke.”
The first annual Athens Pride Weekend spanned Sept. 22-25. In addition to the annual picnic, this year the Pride celebration also included a silent auction to benefit the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition, Dragaoke, a dance, a “Celebration of Commitment” ceremony and other activities.