The 31st annual Nashville Pride Festival announced the initial lineup for the 2019 event today. This year’s festival is scheduled for June 22-23 at Public Square Park in downtown Nashville and will kick off with a parade down Broadway on the morning of Saturday, June 22.
Artists performing on the Equality Stage will include TLC, Neon Trees, Madame Gandhi, Cakes Da Killa, Brandon Stansell, and Brody Ray, among others.
Nashville’s own LGBTQ+ artists will be well represented on multiple stages, with performances from Taco Mouth, The Blam Blams, Myylo, Spazz Cardigan, Mikala Jones, Jess Coppens, Adam Mac, Shelly Fairchild, Houston Kendrick, Sisters Mann, DJ Remedy, DJ Chris Spear, and DJ Aazera. Rounding out the lineup will be national talents Joy Oladokun, Kate Yeager, and more.
“Of course we’re excited about the headliners, but we’re also thrilled about the number of local LGBTQ+ artists, many of whom are nationally known performers. It’s wonderful to be able to draw on and showcase so much local talent who are of that caliber, and it speaks well of our city,” says Jack Davis, founder of Good Neighbor Festivals, which produces Pride in partnership with sponsors Bridgestone, Nissan and others.
The Pride Parade will take place on Saturday June 22nd at 10 a.m. on Broadway. The 2019 parade is the first parade held since the 2008 Nashville Pride Festival. Organizers decided to include a parade this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. “Everyone is invited to participate,” says Davis. “You can sign up online to participate with a marching group you put together or a float. We already have over 100 groups signed up. You can also participate by being a spectator.” Readers are advised to stay tuned for a special Grand Marshal announcement closer to festival time.
The festival has seen a steady increase in attendance over the years. This year’s event is expected to draw upwards of 50,000 people over the two-day period.
No cherry trees will be harmed in the production of the 2019 Nashville Pride Festival. “We will wrap them with love and ensure they are happy and healthy throughout the festival weekend,” says Davis.
Tickets and festival information are available through the Nashville Pride app, available for iOS and Android, or by visiting NashvillePride.org.
