When the first Akron Pride Festival was held at Hardesty Park in 2017, about 6,000 people showed up, no small feat for a new festival.
Now in its 10th year, festival organizers expect 50,000 people to attend Saturday’s celebration.
The festivities start Friday with the 2026 Akron Pride Festival 5K downtown. Also on Friday, singer Kristine W will perform a free concert at Lock 3. On Saturday morning, the festival’s Equity March will step off from the former Spaghetti Warehouse and proceed downtown. Afterward, the area will be transformed into festival grounds with vendors, performances, activities for kids and more.
Set to headline Saturday’s festivities is singer Todrick Hall. Akron-born drag queen Discord Addams, who competed on the 18th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” will also perform…