No city in the southern United States throws a more potent Gay Pride celebration than Atlanta, which has for many years took place in late June. Atlanta Gay Pride moves to a new time in 2009, however, as it takes place at leafy (and centrally located) Piedmont Park during the weekend of October 30 through November 1, 2009. This is an important time for Atlanta's GLBT community, as National Coming Out Day is observed Oct. 11, and the Atlanta AIDS Walk takes place later the same month).
Book rooms and compare rates at hotels in Atlanta during Gay Pride
Atlanta's Pride celebration centers around a handful of events over this three-day autumn weekend. Here's a quick preview of what you can expect at Atlanta Gay Pride 2009.
The fun kicks off on Friday, October 30, with an Official Pride 2009 Kick-Off Party, held from 6:30 pm until 10:30 pm at the famous Georgia Aquarium - this party includes dancing to tunes from acclaimed DJ Martin Fry. You can buy tickets to the Pride Kick-Off Party at the Aquarium here.
The actual 2009 Pride Festival takes place throughout the two-day weekend, and will include plenty of top-notch entertainment on the stages at the festival grounds in Piedmont Park, as well as a Pride Market (held from 10 am until 7 pm each day) featuring vendors and organizations from the greater Atlanta GLBT community. Featured entertainment this year at the Atlanta Gay Pride Festival include Blake Lewis, Goddess & She, Eric Himan & the Adams, Sonia Leigh, Doubting Thomas, Josh Zuckerman, Halcyon, the Starlight Cabaret, and Heidi Hensley.
There's also a Pride Parade held on Sunday, November 1, beginning at 1 pm (floats and participants will begin assembling around 10 that morning). The Grand Marshals of Atlanta Gay Pride Parade 2009 are Dani Lee Harris and Chris Glaser.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers, such as Southern Voice and David Atlanta, for details.
Also take a look at the excellent GLBT site produced by the city's official tourism organization, the Atlanta CVB.