Schedule of Events:

Sunday, September 15, 2024

1-3pm: Craft It UP - Pride Sign and Fan Making

Do you like arts & crafts? Our Craft It UP group meets twice a month and you can find out more here. But this particular day, we'll provide supplies for people to make their own custom Pride signs and posters for the parade, and fans to keep yourself cool while enjoying the outdoor events and programs. Join us for some Pride-themed crafting fun!

Uniting Pride Office - 1001 S Wright St, Champaign
FREE 18+

6-10pm: Queeraoke

Join The UP Center, Anthem, and Nowhere Karaoke for a super fun queer-themed night to kick off CU Pride Fest week! Delicious drinks (with booze or N/A), good times, great music by YOU, and all in our very own LGBTQ+ bar in town! This is FREE event, but donations to the UP Center are always welcome!

Anthem - 320 N Neil St, Champaign
FREE 19+

Monday, September 16, 2024

6-9pm: Drag-vocacy: Boots on the Ground!

Planned Parenthood of Illinois Action and Uniting Pride team up to deliver a night of education and information, but with a fun twist! Learn about the state of the political landscape for the LGBTQ+ community here in our area and beyond. But also learn how to engage in political action like relational organizing, phone banking, door to door engagement, and more - but from drag performers! Yep, you read that right - FROM DRAG PERFORMERS! The night will cap off with some light refreshments and performances by our local drag stars. You don't want to miss this night of learning and levity all in one!

We're excited to welcome the following folks to join us for this program:
Herra Winn - drag performer
Sara Tonin - drag performer
Buck Sallday - drag performer
Midas Sallday - drag performer
Ed Yohnka - Director of Communications and Public Policy, ACLU of Illinois
Katie Stanczykiewicz - Director of Government Relations, Planned Parenthood of Illinois
Kyrstin Schuette - Executive Director, School Board Integrity Project, and former Midwest Director for Pete for America
And more to come!

Spurlock Museum of World Cultures - 600 S Gregory, Urbana
FREE - RSVP Requested - Click HERE

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

5:30-7:30pm: Living History with LGBTQ+ Elders

Join us at the University YMCA to enjoy some free Y Thai food and some wonderful community as we produce the 2nd Living History event with LGBTQ+ elders! After such a successful program last year, we are delighted to bring this event back for Pride Fest 2024. Some of our LGBTQ+ elders been invited to sit at stations around the space and be ready to tell their stories, answer questions, and engage across generations to preserve this deeply important component of queer life. Before the internet, the only way for younger queer folks to learn was to sit with our elders and listen. And while we're thrilled that so many now have access to stories we never had before, we believe the human component remains vital to our community's health and wellbeing. So come take this irl moment to meet some amazing individuals whose shoulders we stand on today and thank them for the work they've done and the impact they've had on all of us.

Elders confirmed so far: Julie Pryde, Jerry Carden, Tim Temple, Tim Hutchison, Michael Lambert, Kimberlie Kranich, Robert Michael Doyle, Danielle Chynoweth, and Sophie Michaels.

University YMCA - 1001 S Wright St, Champaign
FREE

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

3pm: Planning for Action Webinar: Aging & End-of-Life Plans for HIV+ People

Join Compassion & Choices Action Network, Uniting Pride, and GCAP for an engaging discussion to lift up the intertwined histories of the end-of-life options movement and care advocacy by and for HIV+ people.

Many end-of-life options advocates note that the HIV/AIDS pandemic was a catalyst for their involvement in the work to ensure that every person has an end-of-life experience that aligns with their values, priorities, and beliefs. Join Compassion & Choices Action Network, Uniting Pride of Champaign County, and others for an engaging discussion to lift up the intertwined histories of the end-of-life options movement and care advocacy by and for HIV+ people. Register for this event here.

Online - Register HERE
FREE

6-7:30pm: Maybe Baby: Basics of Becoming an LGBTQ+ Parent

A queer person considering becoming a parent has different things to consider than non-queer folks. There are many paths to becoming a parent, and they each carry different experiences and considerations. This panel discussion will feature 3 queer parents who each took different roads to create their families, along with the local attorney who works with nearly every LGBTQIA+ family in town to serve their legal needs around this process.

Whether you're 100% sure you want to become a parent, or are just considering it as a possible option for the future, this session will give you some invaluable insight from people with direct experience!

Champaign Public Library - 200 W Green St, Champaign, Robeson Pavilion Rooms A/B
FREE

Thursday, September 19, 2024

5:30-7pm: "Could you dim the lights?" Gallery Conversation with Jen Everett, Briona Simone Jones, madison moore, and Blair Ebony Smith

Uniting Pride is delighted to offer this program produced by the Krannert Art Museum as part of our official 2024 CU Pride Fest programming. Full information and panelist bios can be found HERE.

Join KAM for lively conversation among the artist, exhibition curator, and invited guests who will frame themes and critical questions in Jen Everett’s photographic, moving-image, and archive-facing practice. The conversation will embrace Black life in the United States and vernacular photography, seeking Black lesbian presence in archives, and sonic resonances including nightlife and club spaces in the Midwest."

Krannert Art Museum - 500 E. Peabody Dr., Champaign
FREE

7:30pm: Queer Movie Night: "The Stonewall Uprising"

So many people don't know the history behind why Pride even exists. This incredible documentary explains the most important flashpoint in LGBTQ+ Civil Rights history, and what took place after that brought about the modern Pride movement. Join us for a night of camaraderie as we all learn just a bit more about our history and why it still matters today.

This program is presented in part by the UIUC College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Anthem - 320 N Neil St, Champaign
FREE, Ages 19+

Friday, September 20, 2024

3:30-6pm: Youth and Family Pride Party

Join Uniting Pride and the Urbana Park District for an incredible event focused on families, teens, and littles! UPD will present a Pride themed Teen Hangout Zone inside the facility, while we have games, crafts, free Kona Ice, a bounce house, and music outside designed for youth and families of all ages!

Phillips Recreation Center - 505 W Stoughton, Urbana
FREE

6pm-12am: Pride on Market Street honoring 2024 Pride Grand Marshal, DJ Silkee

Join us in the downtown Champaign Festival district for an amazing evening of celebration, community, and PRIDE! We'll have arts & crafts, vendors, music, community resources, food and drinks, and a special moment to honor DJ Silkee in her role as the 2024 CU Pride Fest Grand Marshal.

6-8pm: Graduates of DJ Silkee's She Spins Camp - DJ ly'Jah and DJ Strange
8-9:30pm: Live Music on the Pour Bros Patio
9:45pm: Tribute to the 2024 CU Pride Fest Grand Marshal - DJ Silkee
10pm-12am: DJ Silkee Pride Dance Party

Downtown Champaign
FREE - All Ages

Doors 7pm, Show 8pm: QueerAllYear Carnival Debauche and Defy Gravity Pride Show

Every year we love what this group of incredible burlesque, pole and fire performers cook up for us and we know this year will be no exception! This venue is small so this will SELL OUT! Make sure to get your tickets before they're gone!

Seven Saints - 32 E Chester St
19+ event - $25 pre-sale, $30 at the door

Saturday September 21, 2024

9:30am: Pride Nature Hike

Celebrate CU Pride Fest, and share your pride and love of the outdoors by enjoying a guided hike! Relax in the sights, sounds and smells of nature as we explore Busey Woods. Everyone is welcome, but hikers under 15 years old should come with a parent or guardian.

Busey Woods
FREE - all ages

Parade Step Off: 1pm, Fair: 1-5pm: CU Pride Fest Parade & Fair

Join us for the signature Pride Fest programming - our Parade & Fair! We take over downtown Urbana once again featuring locals businesses and artists, community resources, entertainment, games, crafts, food, and fun!

We're grateful to have One Community Together back again this year for our main stage entertainment. Performers will include: Chris Chism, Yvie Oddly, Lucy Stoole, and more to come!

Our 2nd Stage line up so far: Parade MCs Diane Ducey of Q96.1 and Lucy Stoole, Amasong, Drag Story Time, and more to come!

Looking for more specific details on the parade and fair? Click HERE.

Downtown Urbana
FREE

Drag Extravaganza starring Yvie Oddly, RuPaul's Drag Race Season 11 Winner!

8pm Meet & Greet, 9:30pm Show, After Party at Anthem

The City Center - 505 S Chestnut St, Champaign
VIP: $50, includes Meet & Greet with Yvie and Lucy
General Admission: $20 pre-sale, $25 at the door
Presented by Molina Healthcare
19+ event

Are you ready for the SHOW OF THE YEAR?!?!?! This year's CU Pride Fest Drag Extravaganza is STACKED!
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 11 WINNER Yvie Oddly
Chicago Drag Legend Lucy Stoole
And local favorites: Ceduxion Carrington, Karma Carrington, Spank Knightly, and Daeshaun Frank Carrington
With Callie Luttman from Mix 94.5 and 97.9 The Vibe as our host, along with DJ Tukupi

VIP tickets include front and center reserved seating and a private Meet & Greet with Yvie Oddly and Lucy Stoole. Last year these SOLD OUT before the event, so grab your tickets now if you don't want to miss out!
GA tickets get you a standing room view to the best show in town: $20 advance, and $25 at the door.

Then join us for the official After Party at Anthem until 2am!

Sunday, September 22, 2024

Sunday Funday at Anthem!

Close out the 2024 CU Pride Fest with a full day of festivities!
10am-2pm: MYPRIDE365, Big Grove Tavern, and Anthem team up for an incredible Drag Brunch!
2pm: Tea Dance to follow brunch
4-7pm: Anthem Happy Hour
6-10pm: Karaoke to close out the night

Brunch tickets: $49
Show only: $15
Anthem
19+ event

Drag Brunch Tickets

Date: September 15-22, 2024

Click Here For More Information