2021 Trans March on the Fayetteville square / Flyer file photo

The 18th annual NWA Pride Parade and the second-ever Trans March will take place on Saturday, June 18 on Dickson Street.

This Grand Marshal for this year’s parade is LGBTQ advocate, and first Miss Gay America representative from Arkansas, Norman Jones. Jones ran the pageant for 30 years, and founded the state’s longest-running queer establishments – Discovery and Trinity Nightclubs in Little Rock. 2022 marks the 50th year for the pageant as well.

This year’s parade will move to 5 p.m. to relieve downtown traffic, and the parade route will extend all the way to Arkansas Avenue this year to accommodate the growth of the event.

More NWA Pride festivities including the Glitterville Party at George’s, The Big Gay Market, the Equality Crew Family Zone, live entertainment, and vendors will return to the event in 2022 after a two year hiatus the last few years due to the pandemic.

The NWA Trans March will return for the second year after debuting in 2021. The Trans March will begin at noon on Saturday, and will make its way from East Avenue down Dickson Street to the main stage in the Walton Arts Center Parking Lot at Dickson Street and West Avenue.

This year’s Pride Festival will begin at 11 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. in the Walton Arts Center Lot, and will include vendors powered by folks behind The Big Gay Market, live entertainment, speakers, and more.

In addition to the in-person festivities, the NWA Pride Parade will also be broadcast live on social media platforms.

Information on more Pride Month festivities can be found at nwaequality.org.

For a bit more information about specific events associated with this year’s Pride Parade and festival, visit nwapride.org.

NWA Pride 2022 Events

Saturday, June 18
Trans March – Noon, Dickson Street
NWA Pride Festival – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Walton Arts Center Parking Lot
NWA Pride Parade – 5 p.m., Dickson Street
Glitterville – 8:30 p.m., George’s Majestic Lounge