Arlington’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee is in full organizing mode for a June block party in Crystal City honoring Pride Month.
Organizers are hoping for upwards of 500 attendees at next month’s first Arlington Pride 23rd Street Block Party. Sponsored by Equality Arlington in collaboration with several other community organizations, the event is slated for Saturday, June 6 from 3-7 p.m. in the Restaurant Row area of 23rd Street S.
The festival is designed as “a signature event” for Pride Month, said Michael Castellano, a member of the county’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee.
Committee members at their April 28 meeting voted to ask county officials to cover $9,100 of the estimated $35,000 festival costs through financial support and/or fee waivers. County funding would cover costs for police staffing, parking at a nearby public lot and permitting.
“The county manager has a contingency fund — whether this is important enough to him and the county to celebrate a county Pride event is the question,” said Kellen MacBeth, a committee member and president of Equality Arlington.
Organizers have committed to covering the remainder of the costs through donations and sponsorships. In a letter sent to County Manager Mark Schwartz, the LGBTQIA+ committee estimated attendance at 450, though the final figure could be higher or lower.
Committee chair Samantha Perez said efforts to put together the June 6 event are coming together despite a relatively late start.
“Spinning this up in a short amount of time is no small lift,” Perez said. “I’m excited.”
Last year, the county government sponsored a June block party at Courthouse Plaza to complement WorldPride 2025 events taking place in D.C.
That international festival, and some local ones, saw sponsorship declines last year owing at least in part to the Trump administration’s hostility toward diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
In Arlington, events in connection with WorldPride last spring included the fourth annual Arlington Pride, which featured a drag pageant and brunch, an indoor festival, a speed-dating event and an afterparty.
