Member Since: 12/11/2006
Band Website: www.atlantapride.org
Band Members: If you wish to contact Atlanta Pride, please send an email to [email protected] instead of sending a message through MySpace!
The Atlanta Pride Committee includes 4 staff members, a 6 person board of directors, and about 25 committee co-chairs. We also utilize about 400 volunteers the week of Pride that we could absolutely not function without!
Influences: The GLBT community here and around the globe, numerous civil rights leaders and activists, everyone who STANDS UP even when it isn’t easy, and the everyday people that wake up every morning with the commitment and courage to just be themselves...
Sounds Like: FAQ regarding the 2008 Atlanta Pride Festival
Is the Atlanta Pride Festival happening in 2008?
Yes, the Atlanta Pride Festival is happening in 2008. The festival dates are July 4, 5 and 6, 2008.
Where is the 2008 Festival going to be?
This year’s Atlanta Pride Festival will be held at the Atlanta Civic Center complex. The Festival will utilize both indoor and outdoor space.
Why did the date and location of the Festival change?
Because of the drought in Georgia, the City of Atlanta determined that parks could not recover after large events. There is a ban on outdoor watering, which means that even after a festival, groundskeepers cannot water, reseed or aerate the landscape. As a result, all “Class A†events (those drawing 50,000 people or more) have been removed from City parks for the time being as part of an emergency drought response policy.
Who cares if some grass gets ruined? It will grow back, right?
Unfortunately, this is about more than just grass. Anyone who has lived in the City for more than 10 years knows that Piedmont Park hasn’t always been the wonderful green space that it is now. Millions of dollars have gone into restoring Piedmont Park and creating a space for people to gather and recreate. The stress of tens of thousands of people in the Park at one time jeopardizes all of the work that has gone into restoration of the green space. The major concern for the City officials is potentially reversing more than a decade of improvements.
Is the Atlanta Pride Festival the only event affected by this emergency drought response policy?
No, this policy affects all Class A events traditionally held in Piedmont Park. This includes the Dogwood Festival, the Atlanta Jazz Festival and the Peachtree Road Race. Screen on the Green has also been affected by this policy.
Why did the Atlanta Pride Committee select the Atlanta Civic Center complex as the venue?
The Atlanta Pride Committee visited many venues during the selection process, many of which ended up being too small, too expensive or too far away to allow the Parade to end at the site. Holding the event at the Civic Center allows for the Festival to remain in Midtown Atlanta, keep the majority of the events outdoors and be in a location that is accessible to hotels and MARTA. Moving such a large event involves many components and the Civic Center complex provides the ability to maintain the event without having to downsize it.
I’ve read that the Civic Center costs tens of thousands of dollars more than Piedmont Park. Will the event still be free?
The Civic Center does pose a huge financial challenge for the Atlanta Pride Committee, but the festival will remain FREE to all patrons. When you come out to the event, please consider donating to help us with our efforts. If every person who attended the Atlanta Pride Festival donated $5.00, we would be able to offset the cost of having to change venues. If you are interested in donating in advance, please visit our “Make a Donation†page (http://atlantapride.org/friends).
Won’t the Civic Center complex make Pride feel more like a convention than a festival?
While there will be some events taking place indoors, the bulk of the Pride Festival will remain outdoors. Patrons will still be able to soak up the sun and gather with friends.
What about the parade? Will that still be happening? What will the parade route be?
The parade will be on Sunday, July 6, 2008 and will begin at 1:00 p.m. The Atlanta Pride Committee is currently reviewing options for the final parade route, but the most likely solution will simply be to reverse the parade route. Once the final details of the route are confirmed, the Atlanta Pride Committee will post them on the website.
http://www.atlantapride.org
Record Label: Unsigned