Mark Your Calendars for the Davidson Pride Celebration 2026

The big celebration will take place on the Town Green on Sunday, October 11, from 1 – 5 p.m.

Come on out to the Town Green on Sunday afternoon, October 11, for the Davidson Pride Celebration – celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. Participating organizations include local businesses, nonprofits, as well as welcoming and affirming houses of worship.

A few of the fun events scheduled for the afternoon include:

• Live music (and a great DJ and playlist for when the music isn’t live)
• Games
• Baked Goods
• Summit Creamery
• Two fashion shows – one for people and one for pets
• Photo backdrops for great selfies and group photos
• Duck races: in the water and on land
• And lots of free, fun stuff

Local teen artist, Hayden Willis, created the artwork at the heart of the celebration – a duck named Gilbert. Willis named him Gilbert in honor of the late Gilbert Baker, the creator of the pride flag.

Planners of the event have created a fun, folksy day that is representative of the best of Davidson’s welcoming and inclusive spirit.

Celebration attendees are invited to participate in the fashion show and bring their pets for the pet show. Contestants will show off their best pride attire on a walk down the red carpet. Prizes will be handed out to the top three finishers, with our winner being crowned as our Davidson Pride Queen. Audience reaction will help determine the winners and first and second runners up in both shows.

Given our duck logo, we will also have some duck races. Some of those races will be for rubber ducks in several small wading pools. And we will also have several inflatable duck costumes for a human-powered duck race.

Why October? Most importantly, planners organized the event to take place when Davidson College students are in town. Nearly 2,000 college students make up roughly 15% of the Town’s population, and planners felt it important that they be included in this celebration.

Don't miss the Davidson Pride Celebration on Town Green on October 11.