CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Pride will transition all large-scale, in-person events planned for October and November to a hybrid of virtual and smaller in-person events, organizers said Monday in a video release.
This is the second year that COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of the parade.
Charlotte Pride had hoped that the events would be held in person but data from health experts, which included lower community spread and positivity rates and higher vaccination rates, did not meet its standards.
Pride Month is celebrated nationally in June when cities across the country promote equality and inclusion for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer community. However, for nearly 20 years, Charlotte Pride was celebrated in August until the pandemic forced organizers to cancel the 2020 parade and festival.
“Organizers are excited to announce their transition to innovative, hybrid virtual and in-person events that balance community health precautions with Charlotte Pride’s desire to see a city-wide celebration of Pride,” organizers said in a news release.
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Organizers announced earlier that there would be a return of in-person events and an expanded lineup running from August through November.
The annual Pride Parade was set to take over Tryon Street in uptown Oct. 24.
Read more about the final Charlotte Pride season here.
The final Charlotte Pride Season line-up of events includes:
- Charlotte Pride Pop-Up Shops - Saturday, Oct. 16 // Select locations citywide
- Charlotte Pride Scavenger Hunt - Saturday, Oct. 16-Sunday, Oct. 24 // Plaza Midwood
- Charlotte Pride Drag Pageant - Friday, Oct. 22, 8-10 p.m. // Watch parties hosted citywide
- Mask-Queerade Bar Crawl Benefitting Time Out Youth & Charlotte Pride - Saturday, Oct. 23, 1 p.m. // South End, various locations
- The Charlotte Pridestream Broadcast live from the iHeartRadio Charlotte Studios - Saturday, Oct. 23, 7-10 p.m. // Watch parties hosted citywide
- Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service - Sunday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m. // Broadcast live from St. John’s Baptist Church
- Reel Out Charlotte - Friday, Nov. 5-Sunday, Nov. 6 // Camp North End / Virtual
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