CENTRAL ARKANSAS PRIDEFEST AND PARADE
SATURDAY 10/18. 1110 W. Capitol Ave. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free, $50 for VIP passes.
Whether you think of Central Arkansas Pride as more of a celebration or a protest, you’ll likely be pleased by the 2025 relocation of the festival and parade, which has been transported from Argenta Plaza to Capitol Avenue, just blocks away from the headquarters of the state’s most powerful (and often most bigoted) lawmakers. “By moving this year’s Pride close to the Arkansas Capitol, we are ensuring that our community cannot be ignored. We are here, we are vibrant, and we are united,” Dolores Wilk, the organization’s executive director, said in a press release. Let legislators hear and see what they’re missing by belting and boogieing along to performances by Natural State drag queens Kitty Kouture, Athena Sinclair and Alura O’Shaunacy; singer-songwriter Stephanie Smittle; and trans-fronted metal band Mortalus. Plus, there’ll be vendors, activities for kids and food trucks galore. If you’re feeling extra frisky, consider attending Sunday’s Pride Brunch at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, which will include a keynote address from USA Pride co-president Eve Keller. The festival and parade are free and open to the public; brunch tickets are $20 at arpride.org.