June is Pride month, and Fayetteville Pride is hosting its annual PrideFest, a two-day celebration of love, identity and acceptance. My crown, my pride, my love, they can’t hate away, is this year’s theme, a strong statement of living out loud. Fayetteville Pride has planned an extravaganza of a party for attendees on June 26 and 27. 

Festivities kick off at Cool Spring Downtown District’s June CommUNITY Fourth Friday with a pop-up party on the block on Ray Avenue. Fourth Fridays are a free monthly summer event for Fayetteville and Cumberland County Residents in Downtown Fayetteville. The pop-up will include a selection of Pride vendors, food, and family-friendly rainbow fun from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

Saturday is the big day—a full free day for the community at the Crown Expo Center. 

PrideFest is coming back bigger and better this year. Doors open at 10 a.m. for a full day of entertainment, food and fun ending at 6 p.m. Attendees can explore the Crown Expo Center, which will feature Pride vendors, including artisans and local community advocacy and resource organizations. The main stage will host one of the biggest drag shows the Carolinas has ever seen, as well as other live entertainment and performances. 

The lineup of Queens hitting the stage is iconic! Bringing the shine and the sparkle to the stage is community icon and entertainer, Jamie Monroe. Coming in hot, literally, to the stage, this 41-year-old veteran and Forever reigning Miss Gay NC America, Miss Gay NC USolA, and Miss Gay Georgia USolA is bringing their best gags, while channeling their inner Stevie Nicks and Marilyn Monroe. Coming back home to grace the stage is the glamorous Fayetteville native, Morgan Richards. An icon who started her humble beginnings in Fayetteville, she now consistently hosts two events, Morgan's Muffins and Mimosa Drag Brunch at McEisleys Tavern. 

PrideFest is completely free for the community, but for those wanting to elevate their day, there are VIP Bundles available for sale. VIP bundles include a VIP badge and commemorative lanyard, reusable draw string bag, Pride-themed fan, stylish sunglasses, sweet treats, merchandise from Pride sponsors and vendors, reserved VIP seating for the shows, backstage Meet and Greets with the performers and access to complimentary drinks and snacks. Tickets are $25 and $40 dollars and can be purchased online at https://fayettevillepride.org/pridefest-2026/products/vip-bundle. 

This year, Fayetteville Pride is putting on a Pride Community Yard Sale. The yard sale is a fundraiser to help keep PrideFest free and fund community access to resources for local LGBTQ+ youth. Community members are encouraged to donate items or shop in support. 

Although Pride is just a month, and this event is just for a day, the work the organization puts into the community is year-round. 

Fayetteville Prides mission is “To instill pride, celebrate unity, and embrace diversity and inclusiveness in our LGBTQ* community and allies, and to provide a support network and educational advocacy group dedicated to increasing awareness and acceptance.”

Throughout the year, the organization hosts smaller events that double as safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. They provide creative opportunities and community engagement, fulfilling the organization's objectives of creating visibility and promoting full human and civil rights through education, celebrations and networking to the extent allowed by their nonprofit status. They provide a support network for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, serve as an educational service and resource to LGBTQ+ individuals, to their allies and to the community at large and advocate within the Fayetteville area for increased awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Finally, they work toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law by producing LGBTQ+ PRIDE events that inspire, educate, commemorate and celebrate our diverse community. The goal is to model diversity and inclusion within the organization and for the people they serve, maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all. They work to ensure that all voices are valued and heard. For more information and learn about volunteering and upcoming events, visit https://fayettevillepride.org/.