Ypsi Pride returns with July date, longer hours, expanded programming

On the Ground Ypsilanti is an “embedded journalism” program covering the city and township of Ypsilanti. It is supported by Ann Arbor SPARK, the Center for Health and Research Transformation, Destination Ann Arbor, Eastern Michigan University, Engage @ EMU, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Washtenaw ISD.

Organizers of Ypsi Pride are expanding this year’s celebration with a schedule change, longer hours, and additional programming, which they say reflects years of community feedback while making the event more accessible for attendees, volunteers, and performers.

Ypsi Pride 2026 will take place July 18 from 2 to 10 p.m. in Ypsi’s Depot Town, marking the first time the annual festival has moved from its traditional slot on the first Friday of June. While the shift from a Pride Month date prompted questions from some community members, organizers say the move was driven by a desire to create a more sustainable event.

“The big thing is not even moving from June to July. It’s moving from a Friday to a Saturday model,” says Britt Barron, the event’s logistics chair. “We loved doing it on First Friday, but it’s a massive strain on our vendors, our performers, and our volunteer board.”

Barron says the previous four-and-a-half-hour Friday evening format limited participation from vendors and entertainers who struggled to take time off work to set up for the event. Moving to a Saturday allows organizers to nearly double the festival’s hours while expanding activities throughout the day. Barron says more vendors and entertainers applied to the event this year than ever before.

“People just want more time to be gay in Ypsi,” Barron says. “By spreading it out to Saturday, we can have more entertainment, more vendors, and more activities.”

Ypsi Pride entertainment committee member and performer Kat Clark, also known as BoomKat, says the extended schedule also responds directly to community requests.

“We’ve seen complaints over the years to make the event longer, so we really wanted to oblige that,” Clark says. “Pride is a riot. Why confine ourselves to 30 days? Why not have it in July or August, whatever fits our community best?”

The expanded schedule begins with family-friendly programming before the official festival opens at 2 p.m., including lower-sensory-stimulation activities, youth programming, story time, and community organizations throughout the park. Festivalgoers can expect approximately 90 vendors, 13 food options, two entertainment stages, and a full day of performances ranging from drag and burlesque to comedy and live music.

“We were able to take on a lot more performers this year,” Clark says. “We always have a drag show or a drag story hour, but now we have both, plus hours for drag kings and other drag performers as well.”

More than 30 drag and burlesque performers are scheduled throughout the day, alongside bands representing multiple musical genres. Tonio Adonis returns as this year’s headlining performer after appearing as a featured act during last year’s festival. Organizers have also added a Depot Town business scavenger hunt, youth activities, a photo booth featuring Ypsi Pride mascot Marty the Martian, and an after-party hosted by Mash.

With July temperatures in mind, organizers have expanded hydration and wellness resources. Hydration stations will be available throughout Depot Town, while the Corner Health Center will once again provide first aid services. Riverside Arts Center will also host a decompression tent, offering attendees a quiet space to cool down and recharge.

The move to July has also allowed Ypsi Pride to spread pre-Pride events across several weeks. Organizers hosted a series of events throughout June, including a space-themed First Fridays gathering, fundraising events at 734 Brewing Company, and “Queeraoke” karaoke nights that Clark says have become community favorites.

Although vendor registration has closed, organizers are still seeking volunteers to help throughout the festival, particularly with setup and cleanup. Volunteers can sign up for as little as an hour and receive an exclusive Ypsi Pride volunteer T-shirt.

More information about Ypsi Pride 2026 and other local Pride events can be found through Ypsi Pride’s Facebook and Instagram pages. For donation and volunteer opportunities, contact Ypsi Pride organizers directly at ypsipride@riversidearts.org.

“As long as there is a team here, we will be here doing this,” Clark says. “We wouldn’t be here without the support.”