South Arkansas Pride

South Arkansas Pride is an annual festival on the downtown square in Magnolia, hosted by the nonprofit Maple Sap. It began in 2024 and brings vendors, food trucks, entertainment and a parade to South Arkansas.

Maple Sap was founded in April 2024 by Joshua Turner, who was inspired by an event held by students at Southern Arkansas University and wanted to create a Pride festival in a part of the country that had none. His friend Raven Gateley, who is non-binary and lives with chronic health issues, steered the conversation toward accessibility, and the idea grew into a nonprofit. Kurtis Reeves, an officer of PRISM, the LGBTQ+ and ally student group at SAU, joined as another founder.

Before the festival, organizers say, there were no formal events or organizations in the lower half of Arkansas to support LGBTQ+ people and their families. Maple Sap has no physical office yet but hopes to open a space with information, support and a needs closet, and it works to gather clothing for trans youth, supplies for people with disabilities and changes that make local businesses and towns more accessible.

The festival welcomes vendors, food trucks, nonprofits and college groups, with 10-by-10 booth spaces, public restrooms and handwashing stations but no plumbing or electric hookups. Parade entries on foot, in wheelchairs or on mobility scooters are welcome, vehicles must be insured, decor must be appropriate for all ages and leashed animals may attend. The 2026 festival was canceled because of high heat index concerns.

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.

South Arkansas Pride has included festival, parade and vendors.

South Arkansas Pride was first held in 2024.

The organizer has not announced dates for 2027 yet. In 2026 it was held September 5, 2026. It usually falls first Saturday of September.