Frequently Asked Questions
General
It’s Giving is derived from African American Vernacular English and has several interpretations and meanings. Specifically, it originated from the underground Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ Ballroom scene of the 70s and 80s in New York City.
Giving was used to describe someone or something’s appearance, aura, or vibe. Over time, the phrase “It’s Giving” became more popular and is now used in mainstream slang to describe a situation or experience that is particularly intense, dramatic, or over-the-top.
Absolutely! Pridefest is, and always has been, a family-friendly event. We are proud to offer a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where individuals and families of all shapes and sizes can come together to celebrate diversity, love, and acceptance.
Our commitment to being a family-friendly event means we curate a variety of activities and performances that are suitable for all ages.
Giving was used to describe someone or something’s appearance, aura, or vibe. Over time, the phrase “It’s Giving” became more popular and is now used in mainstream slang to describe a situation or experience that is particularly intense, dramatic, or over-the-top.
Visit the GLO Info Booth! The booth will be located in Central Square diagonal from the stage and next to the fountain.
The Info Booth is for general questions, accommodations for the sign language interpreter and help getting to Martha's Chill Room.
Yes, we have a map! See the Interactive Map page for a day-of site map.
Ozarks Pridefest is thrilled to partner with Abilities First. The opportunity to engage in these discussions and collaborate with this organization underscores our dedication to fostering inclusivity and community development within 417 Land. We're passionate about our commitment to meaningful progress and reflects the shared vision of a region that is comfortable and welcoming for ALL who come here!
Check out our Interactive Site Map for information on where to find accessible locations.
Accessible Parking
- Parking lots at the corner of Boonville & Olive
- Parking garage on Patton & Olive
Accessible Restrooms
- Each restroom location has an accessible porta potty
Accessible Ramps
- On the Northeast corner of the square, across from Rise
- On the Southeast corner of the square, across from MSU's Park Central Office Building
- On the Southwest corner of the square, across from The Coffee Ethic
Cooling Areas
- Martha's Chill Zone will be available throughout the entire festival for a cool, calm spot designed for anyone who needs a minute away. There will be air conditioning and bottled water (while supplies last).
ASL Interpreter
- We are excited to announce that Associates in Sign Language LLC will be interpreting at Pridefest this year!
- There will be a designated space for individuals who need this service to ensure they can fully enjoy the festivities.
To ensure you have the latest information and updates about Ozarks Pridefest, we highly recommend following our official Facebook and Instagram pages. These platforms are your go-to sources for real-time updates, announcements, and engaging content related to the event.
By following us on Facebook and Instagram, you'll not only stay informed about the schedule, any changes, and important notices but also get a glimpse into the exciting activities and featured performers!
In the event of an emergency, please flag down a police officer or call 911.
Yes! There will be food trucks and local downtown restaurants within walking distance. There will also be options for alcoholic (21+) and nonalcoholic beverages.
Yes, we've got you covered! To ensure that all our attendees have a comfortable and enjoyable experience, several portable restrooms (porta-potties) will be conveniently located throughout the Pridefest venue. These are available for use by all attendees.
Additionally, we are in close proximity to various local restaurants and bars that may allow access to their restroom facilities. However, please be aware that the use of restrooms in these establishments is at the discretion of each business owner. We encourage you to patronize these local businesses as a thank you for their support and cooperation during our event.
Bring your Lawn Chair/Blanket, Sunscreen, and Umbrella (in case of rain). Don't forget your pride!
If you’re unable to sponsor, but you would still like to donate, please visit our general donation page.
This event is rain or shine (except lightning). Bring your umbrella!
Please ignore potential protestors as much as possible and instead allow the security personnel and trained peacekeepers, who are designated for such situations and possess relevant expertise, to handle it appropriately.
The non-discrimination policy at Ozarks Pridefest, like many LGBTQ+ events and organizations, emphasizes inclusivity and equal treatment for all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or any other characteristic. This policy aims to create a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees, performers, volunteers, and vendors.
For the full Ozarks Pridefest Non-Discrimination Policy, click here.
Vendors & Sponsors
To ensure we provide the best platform for everyone, we've created distinct spaces: the Queer Marketplace and Goods & Services Vendors.
Queer Marketplace: This section is dedicated to showcasing local individuals and queer-owned businesses of all kinds. It's a special space designed to highlight the creativity, entrepreneurship, and diverse talents within our community. Whether you're selling handmade crafts, offering unique services, or anything in between, if your business is queer-owned, the Queer Marketplace is your spot to shine.
Goods & Services Vendors: This area is open to all businesses, regardless of ownership, that wish to support the festival and connect with the community through their goods and services. It's an inclusive platform for vendors of all types to participate in the event.
If you're a queer-owned business looking to share your goods, services, or crafts with the community, we invite you to sign up for the Queer Marketplace.
We're excited to have you join us at Ozarks Pridefest and want to make sure you're fully prepared for a fantastic experience! Please be aware that all booth spaces are provided unfurnished. This means that vendors are responsible for bringing their own tables, chairs, tents, and canopies.
Here are a few key points to remember:
- Tables and Chairs: Ensure you bring enough seating and display surfaces for your team and your products.
- Tents and Canopies: If you're planning to use a tent or canopy, please ensure it fits within the dimensions of your assigned booth space. We also recommend securing your tent for any weather conditions.
- Setup: Arrive with ample time to set up your booth, keeping in mind any additional time you might need to arrange your tables, chairs, and tent to your liking.
We're thrilled about your interest in participating in Ozarks Pridefest and understand the importance of accommodating your needs as best as we can. However, to ensure a cohesive and streamlined experience for both participants and attendees, we are unable to accommodate requests for splitting booth spaces. This policy helps us maintain the integrity of the event layout and ensures each participant has the designated space to fully engage with attendees, showcase their products, services, and messages without constraints.
We at Ozarks Pridefest are fully committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all our vendors and attendees. Recognizing the diverse needs of our community, we strive to ensure that everyone can participate fully and comfortably.
If you are a vendor with a disability and have specific requirements or need accommodations to make your participation possible and enjoyable, we are here to support you. Please reach out to us directly at pride@glocenter.org with any requests or questions regarding accessibility. Our dedicated team will work closely with you to understand your needs and provide the necessary accommodations to ensure you have a positive and seamless experience at the event.
In the event of an emergency, please flag down a police officer or call 911.
This event is rain or shine (except lightning).
Please ignore potential protestors as much as possible and instead allow the security personnel and trained peacekeepers, who are designated for such situations and possess relevant expertise, to handle it appropriately.
Parade
You can sign up for the parade here.
The Pridefest 2024 Parade will step off at 11:30am at the Springfield Municipal Court parking lot on the corner of Chestnut Expy and N Benton Ave. If you are leaving a vehicle at this location, please review posted parking restrictions before doing so.
If you sign up for a float or are driving a vehicle in the parade please arrive between 10:30-10:45 am. If you are walking in the parade please arrive between 10:45-11:00 am. All floats and vehicles will travel first followed by all walking groups. Walking group order will be organized by check in.
- Please be respectful of music volume and content if you plan to amplify any music from your group.
- Please no smoking or drinking while on the parade route
- If your group plans to toss any candy, beads etc. while traveling down the parade route, please do so with caution. Nothing may be thrown from a moving vehicle.
In the event of an emergency while on the parade route, please flag down a police officer or call 911.
In the event of an emergency during the parade, please flag down a police officer or call 911.
This event is rain or shine (except lightning). Bring your umbrella!
Please ignore potential protestors as much as possible and instead allow the security personnel and trained peacekeepers, who are designated for such situations and possess relevant expertise, to handle it appropriately.