On Saturday afternoon in downtown Bowling Green, Kentucky, the 9th-annual Bowling Green Pride Festival drew hundreds of attendees to Circus Square Park as music, drag performances, vendor booths and a sea of rainbow flags made clear one message: this community is here, inclusive, and joyous.
Since its founding nearly a decade ago by the advocacy group Fairness Campaign, the Bowling Green Pride Festival has become a key event in the city’s calendar, offering not just celebration but also a platform for visibility, support and connection within the LGBTQ+ community.
In a city of about 72,000 people, the event is increasingly seen as part of the social fabric of Bowling Green, a place historically known for manufacturing and a strong sense of local identity.
This year’s festival included live performances, art and craft vendors, food trucks, and interactive booths offering free hugs, high-fives and even jazz hands — all aimed at fostering connection and inclusivity.
At around 1 PM, the park filled with families, friends, students from nearby Western Kentucky University, and community supporters. Bright rainbow flags waved above the crowd, drag performances lit up the stage and vendors offered everything from artwork to Pride merchandise.
For many attendees, the festival is more than a party — it’s a statement of belonging. Vendor Teresa White recounted a moment last year when a young woman returned to the booth to say a simple Pride bracelet and a few words of support had helped her through a dark time. “And she just fell into Jody’s arms and just cried,” White said.
Executive Director Chris Hartman of the Fairness Campaign described the festival as “a judgment-free place where people can be who they are and celebrate with friends and family. The strength, the brilliance, the boldness and the joy of our community for everyone to see was on full display.”
WKU history professor and festival planning committee member Patti Minter added, “The community was fantastic, and the performers brought their hearts and souls to the stage… Seeing all those happy faces out there, it was magical.”
“You get to show who you really are as a person and as a human being,” said drag performer La Diamond Sexton, a WKU alum and a mixed biracial queer individual.
For Bowling Green locals, the festival is part of what makes the city vibrant and inclusive. It helps reinforce community cohesion, draws visitors to downtown (supporting local businesses and the economy), and signals to residents and students alike that Bowling Green is a place where diverse identities are welcome.
With nearby Western Kentucky University and ongoing growth of the downtown district, events like this support a narrative of progress, culture and connection.
Moreover, by highlighting visibility and celebration, the festival contributes to broader awareness and understanding in the region — something that can ripple into support, education and policy over time.
This year’s Bowling Green Pride Festival wasn’t just another event — it was a festive, bold affirmation of community identity, unity and joy. As the sun set over Circus Square Park, the colorful flags, dancing performers, and smiling faces weren’t just symbols — they were proof that Bowling Green is growing not only in size but in spirit.
If you’re in or around Bowling Green and missed it, mark next year’s date now — this is one celebration that matters.
