Welcome to the 2024 Hawai’i Island LGBTQ+ Pride Festival information site.

The Festival will take place Saturday, June 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Mo’oheau Park and Bandstand.

Our theme this year is “Celebrate Life!” We chose this theme to honor our beloved friend and fellow Pride Organizing Committee member Greg “Sister Buffy” Lupton, who passed away earlier this year. The rainbow colored islands represent the splendid diversity of our LGBTQ+ community, and the pink represents the wonderful energy that Greg brought to our endeavors. Sister Buffy’s favorite color was pink, and she could always be spotted at queer events by her striking pink leopard patterned outfits and of course, her fabulous pink goatee. Greg was a master at celebrating life and we invite you to join us as we all celebrate our bright rainbow lives at this years festival.

We are doing things a little differently this year, we have decided to put all of our energy into making a great festival for you, as we will not be putting on a parade. So we have extended the festival schedule this year, there will be live entertainment on the main stage from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We have 5 bands playing, and the multi talented Bridge Hartman will be our gracious MC. Bridge and his friends will also be performing during the band-switching times.

There will also be a second stage of drag performances running throughout the festival and Aerial Arts is planning to set up a performance on the grass, weather permitting.

You will also find information and merchandise booths from a variety of LGBTQ+ and ally organizations and merchants. And don’t forget the food vendors! Many of your favorites will be returning this year.

The Hawai’i Island LGBTQ+ Pride Festival is unique among pride festivals in that it was founded specifically to provide a safe and supporting event for LGBTQ+ youth. It is a free of charge family-friendly event with plenty of activities for kids. Alcohol, drugs, and nudity are not allowed.

If you would like more information about becoming a vendor, volunteering, or donating to the festival, you will find application forms on the following page, https://hawaiiislandlgbtqpride.org/participate.

We would like to thank Equality Hawai’i for their aid in producing this year’s festival, and we look forward to seeing you in your brilliant rainbow colors!