Southern Oregon's only Pride parade returns to downtown Ashland on Saturday, October 17, as the centerpiece of SOPride's weeklong celebration running October 11 to 18, featuring the NOH8 Campaign photo shoot, the Queeruphoria dance party headlined by Debby Holiday, and a closing drag brunch at Paschal Winery. As a free, all-ages, volunteer-powered event serving LGBTQIA+ communities across Southern Oregon, SOPride is seeking sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and donors to help make this vibrant celebration of pride, visibility, and community possible.

ASHLAND, Ore., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Southern Oregon Pride (SOPride) will hold its 2026 Pride Celebration October 11–18, anchored by the free SOPride Parade and Festival in downtown Ashland on Saturday, October 17. The week opens on National Coming Out Day, October 11. The week also includes a NOH8 Campaign photo shoot, the Queeruphoria dance party headlined by Debby Holiday, and a closing drag brunch at Paschal Winery.

Between San Francisco and Portland, there is no other Pride parade and festival. For LGBTQIA+ people across Southern Oregon's rural counties, SOPride's celebration is the one weekend a year when the whole region shows up in public, together. The festival is free and all ages so that cost is never the reason someone stays home.

That access depends on local support. SOPride is a volunteer-run nonprofit, and the parade, festival, and free programming are paid for by sponsors, vendors, and individual donors. The organization is currently seeking sponsors and volunteers for the 2026 celebration.

Leading this year's parade as grand marshal is Gina Duquenne, who founded Southern Oregon Pride 16 years ago. What began as a small local gathering has grown into the region's only annual LGBTQIA+ celebration, and the 2026 parade honors the person who started it.

"I'm a vendor year after year at SOPride because I love the community. I love that it's around National Coming Out Day, October 11, each year, because the most important day for a queer person is the day they come out to themselves. Look for my pink booth and say hello!" said Joanie Lindenmeyer, author of Nun Better: An Amazing Love Story and a longtime festival vendor.

The week at a glance

Sunday, October 11 – NOH8 Campaign Photo Shoot, 2–4 PM, Columbia Hotel, Ashland. Individuals, couples, families, and organizations can be photographed for the national NOH8 campaign for equality. All ages.

Friday, October 16 – Queeruphoria, 8 PM–midnight. SOPride's kickoff dance party, headlined by Debby Holiday, a singer-songwriter with 17 Billboard Top 20 Dance Chart hits. With performances by Miss Jaxon, Lylac, and Devyn Michelle Lavicious, and music by DJ Tuffshed.

Saturday, October 17 – SOPride Parade and Festival, downtown Ashland. Parade at noon, led by grand marshal and SOPride founder Gina Duquenne; festival 1–5 PM at the bandshell. Free and all ages. Local vendors, artists, food trucks, nonprofits, and community resources; performances emceed by Miss Jaxon; music by DJ Trevor Gold and Infinite Sun on the Bandshell Lawn.

Sunday, October 18 – Rise & Shine Drag Brunch: SOPride Edition, 11 AM, Paschal Winery.

Performances by Miss Jaxon, Lylac, Alias, Venus, and Devyn Michelle Lavicious.

Tickets and information

• Queeruphoria tickets: eventbrite.com/e/queeruphoria-tickets-1994239308455
• Drag Brunch tickets: facebook.com/events/1005337668867838
• Parade and Festival: free, no ticket needed

How to support SOPride

Sponsorships, vendor applications, parade entries, and volunteer sign-ups for the 2026 celebration are open now at southernoregonpride.com. Businesses and individuals who want to help keep the festival free can contact info@southernoregonpride.org.

About Southern Oregon Pride

Southern Oregon Pride (SOPride) is a nonprofit that builds a welcoming community for LGBTQIA+ people and allies across Southern Oregon through Pride celebrations, community events, education, and advocacy. It organizes the only Pride parade and festival between San Francisco and Portland.

Media Contact

Jolie Balocca, Southern Oregon Pride, 1 (541) 778-5599, info@southernoregonpride.org, https://southernoregonpride.org/

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SOURCE Southern Oregon Pride