Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — June 30, 2025 — Over three months after it was initially canceled, PRIDEfest is returning to Northeast Arkansas this year.

On June 29, NEA Progress announced on its Facebook page that PRIDEfest 2025 would be happening on Oct. 4. The event is free to attend.

This year’s theme is “Rise & Resist: The Same Fight – A New Fire,” as executive director Chris Oswalt said LGBTQIA+ people have been facing the same fight for years.

“The same hatred, the same policies of exclusion, the same attempts to erase us, but now we’re bringing a new fire. A new generation. A new wave of resistance,” he said.

The event will be held in Jonesboro, Oswalt said, although the final location is still being discussed.

The move to October came after it was decided in March that PRIDEfest 2025 would not happen. Oswalt said the decision to initially cancel PRIDEfest was one of the hardest the group has made.

“We didn’t take it lightly,” he said. “We had been talking about the reality of the situation for months and waited until the last possible moment to make that final call.”

When the announcement was made, Oswalt said it was painful, especially after seeing the event grow from 1,500 in 2019 to more than 6,500 in 2024 after expanding to Main Street. He said pride means something deeply personal to many in the area.

He said the decision to cancel PRIDEfest was made after a lot of reflection, saying he did not live in the area and the only remaining board member was unable to take on the full planning effort alone. He added that they were facing a lack of volunteers, which made organizing the event especially difficult.

However, after the announcement, Oswalt said something happened.

“What brought PRIDEfest back wasn’t a reaction to disappointment. It was a recognition of our responsibility to continue the work and to meet this moment with action when people stepped up to help,” he said.

The community’s reaction to the announcement also created momentum.

“People didn’t just react. They responded,” Oswalt said. “That collective energy is what made the comeback possible. It wasn’t about fixing a problem. It was about continuing the mission.”

The move to October also has significance, as it is Queer History Month.

“It gives us a chance to anchor the event in our history while pushing forward into the future. It allows us to connect where we’ve been with, where we’re going,” Oswalt said.

NEA Progress is working with OutNEA to make PRIDEfest 2025 happen. Oswalt called the collaboration one of the most exciting parts of the process. OutNEA is led by Charles Tinsley, who was one of the original organizers of the first PRIDE events in Jonesboro and founded NEA Progress.

“When Charles reached out, it sparked something. We talked about what was possible, about how we could come together, and from there, this partnership was formed,” Oswalt said. “Charles brings a wealth of knowledge, a deep connection to the community, and a kind of contagious excitement that’s driving the entire event forward.”

NEA Progress started planning this year’s PRIDEfest in September 2024. Oswalt said many of those plans are being used for October’s event, calling it a reinvention rather than a rebuild.

While not every detail could be revealed, Oswalt said there will be a lot to look forward to, saying it will be the most expansive, energized version of PRIDEfest yet.

“This year, we’re building something bold, intentional, and unforgettable,” he said. “You can expect a bigger revenue, more entertainment, more interactive spaces, and a festival that feels new while still holding onto what people loved before.”

While OutNEA is helping with the event, Oswalt said the event cannot happen without volunteers. He said they need 20 to 30 volunteers to help with setup, cleanup, crowd support, booth operations, and festival logistics throughout the event.

He added that they will need sponsors and are actively recruiting businesses and organizations who want to put their values into action.

“If you support the LGBTQIA+ community, this is the moment to prove it. Reach out. Get involved. Be part of this,” Oswalt said.

If you want to volunteer for the event or learn more, you can contact NEA Progress by clicking here.