ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Fun, food trucks and visibility. The Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival launches this Saturday.
The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, followed by a festival from noon to 5 p.m. at Maryland Hall. This year’s grand marshals are Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and U.S. Space Force Col. Bree Fram. The grand marshals play an important role in leading the parade and providing high-profile representation for the event. The parade will start at Calvert and Bladen streets, go around Church Circle, continue up West Street and end at Amos Garrett Boulevard on West Street.
This year, organizers are encouraging folks to join the end of the parade, following Naptown Brass.
The event will feature nearly 200 vendors, food, games and activities for all ages, ranging from rainbow storytime to gender-affirming career planning. Festival-goers can also see performers like Ultra Naté throughout the afternoon.
According to the event website, the 2025 theme is “Growing in Pride – Growing in Community.”
“This celebration and call to action reminds us that even in the face of oppression, we thrive, uplift one another and protect our community. Pride is rooted in resilience and resistance — and as we grow in pride, we reaffirm that everyone deserves to live openly, safely and proudly, because our communities are strongest when no one is left behind.”
The first pride marches were held in 1970, a year after the Stonewall Inn riots, which are considered a turning point in LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. Annapolis Pride was first held in 2018, joining pride events all over the country.
Pride events can help members of the LGBTQ+ community find resources as well as serve as a celebration of their identity. Annapolis Pride’s mission is to advocate for, empower and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Anne Arundel County to live fully and authentically.
The Annapolis Pride event will help kick off Pride Month. There’s a full week of events the first week of June, leading up to the WorldPride Parade in D.C. on June 7. You can find the full list of Annapolis Pride events on their website.
“Annapolis Pride is important because it is in our state capital. It lets all Marylanders know that they are seen, loved and valued. In smaller towns, these events raise critical visibility and tend to be family-friendly. If you look around you will quickly see families, of all kinds, celebrating!” said Joe Toolan, board chair.
The event organizers aimed to be inclusive and family-friendly and put the focus on the fun. Local events can help young people in particular, and the scheduled events offer plenty of opportunities for connection.
Residents of Annapolis and the surrounding counties are invited to join the fun this Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. — but organizers suggest getting there early to get a good spot.
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