Montgomery County hosts its 3rd annual Pride in the Plaza this Sunday, June 25, and invites residents to participate in a day full of celebratory events.
The annual LGBTQ+ community festival will take place in Silver Spring’s Veterans Plaza and is open to the public.
Per the county, here’s the list of the 11 events you can expect to see for the festival:
Pride in the Plaza Resource Fair & Market Place
12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Veterans Plaza
Stroll around the Plaza and learn about the wonderful local resources and services available to you in Montgomery County! Meet dozens of local LGBTQ+ owned businesses, artists, non-profits, allied faith-based organizations, and other partners. Don’t forget to pick up valuable information and connections along the way!
Free Health Screenings & Vaccines
12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Silver Spring Civic Building
While you’re having the time of your life, take a moment to consider your health! Montgomery County HIV/STI Services in collaboration with HBI and Daydream Sunshine are offering free HIV, HCV, cholesterol and glucose screenings, sexual health education sessions and mpox vaccination on site at the festival. Get screened and get a $15 gift card! Do it for You, Montgomery County: Take Control of Your Health
Eat Great Food!
12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Veterans Plaza
This year we’re bringing back friends from Cocineros Modern Latin Eatery and introducing cool paletas energy from Jarabe Gourmet Pops. Sweet tooth? Get ready to be blown away by the tantalizing delight of Miss Coco’s Sweet Peaches! Live In Your Truth is teaming up with the fabulous Drag Queen, Miss Coco B. Della Notte, to bring you the most delectable Peach Shortcakes and Milkshakes in town. Prepare to indulge in Miss Coco’s Sweet Peaches, a mouth-watering delight available exclusively at Pride In the Plaza. These luscious peaches can be enjoyed alamode, topped with a cloud of whipped cream, or customized to satisfy your cravings.
Vote on Montgomery County’s Official Pride Decal!
12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Pride in the Plaza Welcome Booth
Montgomery County Health & Human Services and Office of Community Partnerships teamed up to issue a county-wide call to artists to create the county’s official 2023 Montgomery County Pride decal. The decal will be used by businesses, non-profits, county government entities, and other establishments to show their public support for LGBTQ+ communities. At Pride in the Plaza, you’ll get to view and vote on one of the top three finalist designs from youth and adult categories!
Drag Story Hour
12:30 p.m. | Veterans Plaza Pavilion Main Stage
Bring your little ones (and big ones!) and gather round for a story hour featuring Hazel Dereon under the pavilion. Drag Story Hour creates spaces where “kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves!” We can’t wait to see you there!
Pride Community Stage
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Ellsworth Family & Youth Area
Enjoy family-friendly local music, spoken word, and performance art on our community stage! The 2023 Pride in the Plaza Community Stage is brought to you by Downtown Silver Spring.
Love Letters Community Art Project
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Ellsworth Family & Youth Area
Stop by the Love Letters booth and use your creativity and our art supplies to craft messages of love and support for MoCo’s trans communities! Join with other members of our community in countering messages of bias and hate with compassion, kindness, and beauty. Trans lives matter in MoCo, and we’re proud to show it!
Jewelry Workshop with Mx. Bella Naughty
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Ellsworth Family & Youth Area
Does colorful bling make your heart sing? Work with the fabulous Mx. Bella Naughty to create one-of-a-kind Pride themed bracelets with the most glamorous beads you can find! This workshop is free and is open to all while supplies last.
Drag Duels Finale
1:30 p.m. | Veterans Plaza Pavilion Mainstage
In 2022, Sirène Noir Sidora-Jackson took home the Grand Prize as Drag Duels Champion. This year, finalists will face off again under the pavilion in the DMV’s fiercest Drag Lipsync competition. Who will leave you gagged to become the next Drag Duels champion? Come on down to Veterans Plaza and see for yourself. Intrigued?
Pride in the Plaza Mini-Ball
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Veterans Plaza Pavilion Main Stage
The category is….PRIDE! Capitol Ballroom Council is back to close out Pride in the Plaza for a 3rd year with the Pride in the Plaza Mini-Ball. Battle for cash prizes in OTA Face, OTA Runway, OTA Performance, OTA Best Dressed, OTA Realness, OTA Spectator vs Spectator categories.
Make-Your-Own Clack Fan Workshop with Live In Your Truth Programs
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm (until supplies last) | Veterans Plaza Pavilion Main Stage
Let your creativity shine! Stop by the pink Live In Your Truth Programs tent and make your own masterpiece. Fight the heat, show your true colors and Live In Your Truth! There is a $15.00 base fee for your fan with optional add-ons; first come, first served while supplies last.
Though the festival is open to all, free tickets are strongly recommended. More information about the pride festival can be found on the event’s website.
