Gettysburg Pride, Inc. will present Pride 250: A New Birth of Freedom, the 10th annual Gettysburg Pride festival, from May 29 through 31, 2026. Recognized as an official component of America 250 Pennsylvania, the event will bring together national voices, local community leaders, musicians, performers, and families for a three-day celebration at the site of one of the most consequential moments in American history.
The festival takes as its theme the idea that the rights affirmed in the Declaration of Independence, the promise renewed in the Gettysburg Address, and the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ equality are chapters in a single American story of ever-increasing inclusion. With the nation marking its 250th birthday and Gettysburg Pride marking its tenth year, organizers say this is a moment to stand at that crossroads.
“The Declaration of Independence proclaimed that all people are endowed with the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Gettysburg Address reminded us that this nation was dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal,” said Florence March, President of Gettysburg Pride. “That proposition is still being tested. The Constitution is our anchoring tool as we work toward inclusion for all. Gettysburg Pride 250 is continuing that work.”
The weekend opens Friday evening, May 29, with a community Pride Walk through downtown Gettysburg with a kick-off by Mayor Alison Lintal. The walk begins at the Gettysburg Area Middle School parking lot. At 7 PM, Pride 250 Showcase at the Unitarian Universalists of Gettysburg, a celebration of music, storytelling, and drag showcases local performers in a free evening of entertainment.
On Saturday, May 30, the main festival will be held in the Amphitheater area of the Gettysburg Area Recreation Park from 11:30 AM to 7 PM, with a large vendor area, expanded all-ages programming in the Pride Activity Hub, and a full day of entertainment at the Amphitheater.
The Opening Ceremony, “Pride 250: A New Birth of Freedom,” at 12 noon will feature speakers whose work spans military service, Indigenous studies, music education, and disability advocacy. Community Minister Bright will open the ceremony with a blessing. Dr. Stephanie Sellers, a Native American Studies educator from Gettysburg College, will speak on Land Acknowledgement and Two-Spirit people. Major General Gale S. Pollock, U.S. Army (Ret.), former Acting Surgeon General of the United States Army and an advocate for transgender rights in the military, will deliver remarks tracing the arc from the Declaration of Independence to the Gettysburg Address continuing in the Pride movement.
Choral performances by the Unitarian Universalists of Gettysburg and Cadence Treble Chorus will anchor the ceremony throughout. Dr. Kyle Weary will speak on Gettysburg’s journey to inclusion. A personal testimony will be offered by disability advocate Sam Lau. The ceremony will close with a pledge of commitment to the Constitution of the United States and a community singing of “This Little Light of Mine.”
Saturday’s Main Stage will also feature performances by Honey on the Rocks, the Cadence Treble Chorus, and Mood Indigo followed by a dance party on the lawn at the Amphitheater.
The Pride Activity Hub will offer hands-on creative programming, family activities, and wellness-centered resources throughout the day. Hosted in partnership with Root and Bloom Community Nature Collective, the Hub will feature pride storytimes, music circles led by Tonality Music Therapy, zine and button-making workshops, interactive art activities, community resources, and a dedicated sensory calm space designed to support accessibility and inclusion.
The Hub reflects Gettysburg Pride’s commitment to creating a celebration where families, youth, and community members of all ages can participate fully in Pride.
The vendor area will feature everything from food trucks, arts and crafts, jewelry and clothing, and Pride accessories, to local nonprofits and advocacy groups.
Saturday evening brings three simultaneous events. The Adams County Arts Council at 125 S. Washington Street will host An Evening with Royalty, a drag show featuring Amethyst Diamond. The Gettysburg Community Theater will screen the film “But I’m a Cheerleader.” At the same time, Waldo’s and Company at 17 Lincoln Square will host an all-ages, alcohol-free Pride Dance Party with DJ Deezy, free and open to all. For tickets and reservations for these events, please visit GettysburgPride.org.
The weekend concludes Sunday, May 31, with a donation-based community yoga practice from 1 to 2 PM on the amphitheater lawn at the Recreation Park.
Gettysburg Pride, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Pride 250 is supported by volunteers, donors, and the broader Adams County community. For the full event schedule, ticketing information, volunteer opportunities, and sponsorship details, visit GettysburgPride.org.