Boone to celebrate Pride with parade, festival this Saturday

The Boone Pride event began in 2022, with around 300 people marching on the sidewalks of King Street. Since then, it quickly grew to more than 1,000 attendees in 2024.

People can expect live bands, a kids zone with face painting, vendors and floats this year.

Boone Pride Co-Founder Todd Carter says events like this are more important than ever.

"For younger people, people who aren't out of the closet, people who don't have a supportive community, we want people to know that we do have a supportive community here," Carter says. "And even if you don't think you do, we're here for you."

Carter says the theme of community is a core element of Pride. It's why this year's parade, for the first time, will have a grand marshal – RiverGirl Fishing Company owners Kelly McCoy and Renata Dos Santos. They were chosen to honor their community recovery work following Helene.

"The big message that we want to send is that people in the LGBT community are part of our larger community," Carter says. "We're all here lending a hand. We're side by side."

The event kicks off at noon on Saturday at the Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center.