Blount Pride Festival

Blount Pride was founded in 2019 after a community conversation about the needs of LGBTQ+ people in Blount County. Its free 2026 festival, Grit and Glitter, was held September 12 at Springbrook Park in Alcoa with a community resource fair, vendors, food trucks, a stage with drag, comedy and music, and drag story times for kids.

The first Blount Pride festival took place on August 24, 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic forced a long pause, and the second festival did not happen until 2022. Since then the organization has gone to court to defend the First Amendment rights of drag performers, pushed back against discrimination from local governments and institutions, and offered direct support to people in need, while putting on a festival every year.

At Springbrook Park, the festival entrance is at the accessibility ramp near the park pavilion. Parking is available at Springbrook Pool and Alcoa Middle School, and spaces at the Springbrook Recreation Center are meant to be saved for people with mobility needs. ASL interpreters work the entertainment stage and both story times, and the 2026 stage was hosted by Tyra von Shade.

Children are welcome, though young kids must stay with a parent the whole time. Alcohol, illegal drugs and weapons are not allowed at the event.

Pride events celebrate LGBTQ+ people and mark the Stonewall uprising of June 1969. Most combine a parade or march with a festival of performers, community groups, vendors and food.

Blount Pride Festival has included festival, resource fair, drag performances, live music, drag story time and asl interpretation.

Blount Pride Festival was first held in 2019.

The organizer has not announced dates for 2027 yet. In 2026 it was held September 12, 2026. It usually falls september.