Ellsworth Pride Festival

Ellsworth Pride Festival has been held at Knowlton Park since 2021, started by students in the Ellsworth High School Gender and Sexuality Diversity Alliance. It features local vendors, LGBTQIA+ organizations, live performances, drag story time, and a youth art installation. Healthy Acadia took over organizing the festival in 2026.

Ellsworth Pride is a coalition of volunteers and partners working to promote respect and understanding, reduce health disparities and support LGBTQIA+ people in being themselves in their community. The first festival in 2021 marked the installation of rainbow crosswalks at local schools and gave people a chance to reconnect after the pandemic. In 2023 the group persuaded the City of Ellsworth to recognize June as Pride Month, and the City Council issued proclamations in 2023 and 2024.

The festival draws more than 600 people a year, making it one of the largest spring gatherings in the city. It sits within walking distance of downtown, and people are welcome to come and go through the day. Along with the stage and youth activities, it offers an LGBTQIA+ focused marketplace, a nonprofit information fair and public health outreach. Attendance is free, and there is no cost to take part for individuals, nonprofits or small businesses.

The group also holds smaller events through the year; in January 2024 it partnered with Bar Harbor Pride on a drag night at The Grand. Healthy Acadia, a community health nonprofit serving Hancock and Washington counties, now runs the festival.

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.

Ellsworth Pride Festival has included festival, youth events and drag story time.

Ellsworth Pride Festival was first held in 2021. Organizers reported over 600 attendees each year people in 2025.

The organizer has not announced dates for 2027 yet. In 2026 it was held June 7, 2026. It usually falls first Sunday of June.