FROM BLUE RIDGE PRIDE
BLUE RIDGE PRIDE ANNOUNCES SECOND ANNUAL FESTIVAL FOR OCTOBER 2nd

Asheville, NC – Blue Ridge Pride will hold its pride festival Saturday, October 2nd on Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville from 12:00-8:00pm. This year’s event, themed “One Heart, One World, One Pride,” will include events throughout the week and culminate with an outdoor festival featuring mainstage music and entertainers, community talents, educational workshops, local and regional vendors, and participation from state-wide and local LGBTQ and non-profit organizations. More information is available at www.blueridgepride.com.

Events beginning on 9/24 include the Ms. Blue Ridge Pride Pageant held at O’Henry’s, 9/25 a fun run/walk at Carrier Park at 10:00 am, 9/29 an ice cream social benefitting Loving Food Resources at The Hop at 6:30pm, and 9/30 a comedy night at Tressa’s Downtown Blues and Jazz, doors at 8pm. All events are open to the general public and are either free or less than $10.

Headlining this year’s event is Mia Borders hailing from New Orleans. Other performances include Cantaria, Crys Matthews, Heart of Glass, and Natalie Smalls Productions. The event will also include a Kid’s area with organized art activities, child performers, face painters, balloon artists and more.

After receiving feedback from attendees at last year’s event, Amy Huntsman and Blue Ridge Pride planning members decided to move the festival into the heart of downtown. “We received a lot of compliments on the festival last year, but people wanted it to be more visible and easily accessible. Thanks to the support from the City of Asheville, we are able to move the festival to Lexington Avenue this year.”

Blue Ridge Pride is an all-volunteer organization with a five-person Board of Directors. It was formed in spring of 2009, and is established as a non-profit. Blue Ridge Pride strives to be inclusive of all LGBTQ populations, families, and friends; and to create an exciting day that will educate, support awareness, and celebrate the overall community at large.

The festival still needs volunteers in many areas, ranging from committee chairs to volunteers to work the day of the event. For more information on volunteering, email brpvolunteers@gmail.com.