Tri-Pride Tennessee 2025
- October 11, 2025
- Johnson City, TN
TriPride started in 2018 as the first major lgbtq+Q+ Pride festival in the Tri‑Cities region of northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. The organisers wanted to create a space where people could be themselves and connect with their community at a time when visible queer events were still rare in Appalachia. After a hiatus during the pandemic, the festival returned stronger than ever, drawing thousands of people to Bristol and Kingsport for parades, concerts and workshops. Each year the event has shifted location between the three main cities – Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City – to make sure every part of the region feels included. Over the years TriPride has evolved from a simple parade into a week of activities that range from drag bingo and trivia nights to panel discussions on queer history in the mountains. Its mission emphasises local identity and the idea that everyone belongs, echoing the organisers’ motto that “Y’all means all.”
The 2025 TriPride Parade and Festival is scheduled for Saturday 11 October 2025 in Johnson City, Tennessee. The announcement on the organisation’s website invites people to “color Appalachia with pride” and encourages prospective sponsors, vendors and volunteers to sign up early. Applications for the parade and festival opened months in advance so that local businesses, community groups and artisans could secure their spaces. The organisers have chosen the theme “Roots, Rainbows, Resilience – A Patchwork of Pride,” a nod to the deep ties many participants have to the region and the strength it takes to stand out in a conservative part of the U.S. As with previous years, the event is free, but attendees are asked to register for tickets so security and logistics teams have an accurate headcount.
To get a sense of what the 2025 celebration will look like, it helps to look back at the 2024 festival. Last year’s programme included live performances from local bands and nationally known artists, a bustling vendor space with handmade crafts and community resources, and free health screenings. Food trucks offered everything from Appalachian comfort food to vegan street tacos, and there was even a bar area with beer, cocktails and non‑alcoholic options. Organisers also set up a Kids Zone where families could enjoy face painting, games and other activities, underscoring the point that TriPride is meant for people of all ages. Volunteers played a critical role in keeping things running smoothly, and the 2024 site urged anyone interested in helping to sign up. All of those elements are expected to return in 2025, with the planning team teasing an even more diverse lineup of entertainers and a larger marketplace for artisans.
Pride Week leading up to the festival has become one of the most anticipated parts of TriPride. In 2024 the week featured events like a volunteer appreciation hike, a panel on the history of gay Appalachians, a gender‑affirming haircut day, family bowling night and a drag bingo with sexual health trivia. For 2025 the organisers plan to expand these community events to neighbouring towns, giving more people a chance to participate even if they can’t make it to the main festival. Many of these activities raise funds for local charities and support networks. In past years TriPride has donated to hurricane relief efforts and worked with United Way to support recovery work, demonstrating that Pride is not just a party but also a vehicle for solidarity and mutual aid.
Visitors coming to Johnson City for the 2025 festival will find plenty to explore. The city sits at the base of the Appalachian Mountains and offers easy access to hiking trails, breweries and historic sites. Founders Park, where the parade ends and the festival begins, is located downtown and is within walking distance of hotels and restaurants. Parking in Johnson City can be limited on festival day, so organisers recommend taking advantage of shuttle services or carpooling from surrounding towns. Because the festival is outdoors, weather can be unpredictable in October; attendees should be prepared for both crisp autumn sunshine and the possibility of rain. Bringing a reusable water bottle is encouraged, as the festival provides free water refill stations, and while there will be plenty of food options on site, local cafés and bakeries around Main Street are also worth a visit.
What makes TriPride unique is its balance between regional pride and global lgbtq+Q+ solidarity. Many of the performers and vendors are local, showcasing Appalachian music, crafts and cuisine, yet the event also draws activists and artists from across the United States. Attendees often remark on the sense of safety and community they feel – an atmosphere that can be hard to find in rural areas. Conversations about chosen families, the challenges of coming out in a religious household and the joy of seeing rainbow flags flying over small‑town streets happen alongside the music and dancing. Parents bring children so they can see queer adults thriving, older couples who never imagined such an event would exist in their lifetime hold hands openly, and teenagers meet peers they only knew from social media. It is these small moments that make the long hours of organising worthwhile.
Looking ahead to 2025, TriPride’s organisers have an ambitious vision. They want to build on the success of previous years by increasing accessibility for people with disabilities, incorporating more bilingual programming for the region’s growing Hispanic population and deepening partnerships with Black community groups. They are also exploring new sustainability initiatives to reduce waste, such as encouraging vendors to use compostable materials and providing recycling stations throughout the festival grounds. If you’re interested in participating, whether as a volunteer, a vendor or simply someone who loves a good parade, now is the time to start planning. Information about applications, ticket registration and the full programme will be posted on the TriPride website as the date approaches.
Official Website