FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Maggie Liu (she/her) hello@mocopridecenter.org

MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S OFFICIAL PRIDE CELEBRATION RETURNS SUNDAY, JUNE 28, WITH THEME "PRIDE AS RESISTANCE"

Thousands Expected for a Full Day of Entertainment, Advocacy, Wellness, Family Activities, Ballroom Culture, and the Emmy-Nominated Drag Duels Finale

SILVER SPRING, MD — On Sunday, June 28, 2026, thousands of residents, families, visitors, advocates, artists, businesses, and community leaders will gather in Downtown Silver Spring for Montgomery County Pride In The Plaza, Montgomery County's official Pride celebration.

Taking place from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Veterans Plaza and throughout the surrounding festival footprint, Montgomery County Pride In The Plaza transforms the heart of Silver Spring into a vibrant celebration of community, culture, advocacy, health, wellness, and belonging.

This year's theme, Pride as Resistance, honors the legacy of those who fought for LGBTQIA+ equality while recognizing the continued importance of visibility, community, and collective action in the face of ongoing challenges.

The free festival will feature live entertainment across multiple stages, community organizations, local businesses, health and wellness resources, free HIV and STI testing opportunities, family programming, food vendors, arts and culture experiences, a Capitol Ballroom Council Mini Ball, and the highly anticipated Season 5 Finale of the Emmy-nominated Drag Duels competition series.

Opening remarks from elected officials and community leaders will begin at 12:00 PM.

"Pride was born from resistance, and that history matters now more than ever," said Phillip Alexander Downie (he/him), Chief Executive Officer of the Montgomery County Pride Family. "At a time when LGBTQIA+ people—particularly transgender and gender-expansive people—continue to face attacks on their rights, dignity, and humanity, gathering together is itself a powerful act. Montgomery County Pride In The Plaza is where celebration meets community care, where joy meets advocacy, and where thousands of people come together to affirm a simple truth: every person deserves to live openly, safely, authentically, and with dignity."

Downie continued, "This event represents the very best of Montgomery County. It is a place where families, young people, elders, faith communities, healthcare providers, artists, advocates, businesses, and neighbors come together not despite our differences, but because of them. Pride as Resistance reminds us that building welcoming communities is not passive work—it is something we create together every day."

Throughout the day, attendees will experience one of the region's largest and most comprehensive Pride celebrations, featuring a community marketplace, Health & Wellness Row, Mental Health Services Village, Family Fun Zone, advocacy organizations, faith communities, local businesses, artists, government agencies, and community partners dedicated to serving Montgomery County residents year-round. Montgomery County Pride In The Plaza is intentionally designed to connect attendees not only with entertainment, but with resources, support systems, and opportunities for deeper community engagement.

The Family Fun Zone will offer free activities for children and families throughout the afternoon, including face painting, bubble experiences, sensory STEM exploration stations, interactive slime activities, and family-friendly Drag Story Hour programming, including a bilingual storytelling experience designed to expand access and engagement for families from diverse backgrounds.

The Ellsworth Street Community Stage will showcase a diverse lineup of musicians, dancers, drag performers, and community artists representing the rich cultural diversity of Montgomery County. Festivalgoers will also experience ballroom culture through a special Mini Ball presented by the Capitol Ballroom Council.

The Main Stage will feature entertainment throughout the day before culminating with the Season 5 Finale of Drag Duels, the Emmy-nominated drag competition series created by Live In Your Truth, where finalists will compete for the championship title before thousands of attendees.

Additional festival highlights include: • Opening Ceremony and Community Welcome • Remarks from elected officials and community leaders • Main Stage entertainment throughout the day • Community Stage performances on Ellsworth Street • Capitol Ballroom Council Mini Ball • Family Fun Zone programming • Family-friendly Drag Story Hour, including a bilingual storytelling experience • Health & Wellness Row • Mental Health Services Village • Free HIV/STI testing and prevention resources • Community organizations and advocacy groups • Local businesses, artists, and vendors • Food vendors and festival experiences • The Emmy-nominated Drag Duels Season 5 Finale

Montgomery County Pride In The Plaza is presented by the Montgomery County Pride Family and Live In Your Truth in partnership with Montgomery County Government, community organizations, businesses, advocates, volunteers, and supporters committed to building a more inclusive Montgomery County.

Special thanks to Gilead, the festival's Main Stage Sponsor, as well as Montgomery County Government, Do It For You Montgomery County, and the many sponsors, performers, volunteers, vendors, community organizations, and public servants whose support makes this celebration possible.

The event is free and open to all.

EVENT DETAILS

Montgomery County Pride In The Plaza Sunday, June 28, 2026 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Veterans Plaza 1 Veterans Place Silver Spring, MD 20910

Free Admission

For media inquiries, interview requests, credential requests, or to schedule interviews with festival organizers, performers, sponsors, elected officials, or community partners, please contact Maggie Liu (she/her) at hello@mocopridecenter.org.

ABOUT LIVE IN YOUR TRUTH!

Live In Your Truth (LIYT) creates affirming spaces, community programs, health and wellness initiatives, arts and culture experiences, media projects, and opportunities for connection throughout Montgomery County and the DMV. Rooted in a commitment to uplifting those most underserved, marginalized, and disenfranchised, LIYT unapologetically centers intersectional Black IPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, recognizing that many of the inequities we address begin with the experiences of Black and Indigenous people.

ABOUT THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRIDE FAMILY

The Montgomery County Pride Family is a consortium of LGBTQIA+ organizations working to advance health, wellness, advocacy, arts, culture, community building, and direct services throughout Montgomery County and the surrounding region. Through community programs, care navigation, health initiatives, support services, cultural events, and the Montgomery County Pride Center, the organization works to ensure that every person has the opportunity to live openly, safely, authentically, and with dignity.

You have not met all the people who are going to love you yet. You absolutely belong. Always Live In Your Truth!

Phillip Alexander Downie (he/him) Chief Executive Officer Montgomery County Pride Family ceo@mocopridecenter.org