Photo via Columbus Pride.

After six years of celebration in Goodale Park, the Columbus Pride Festival will be relocating Downtown next year, taking place in Bicentennial and Genoa Parks along the riverfront, with a footprint not unlike the Columbus Arts Festival and Jazz & Ribs Fest.

“The Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and Parade is a testament to the diversity and inclusiveness of this great city,” stated Stonewall Executive Director Karla Rothan in a release issued this morning. “It is fitting that we return to the city’s center, a beautiful setting for a beautiful celebration.”

The popular parade portion of the festival will see its route simply reversed, kicking off from The Short North and traveling south on High Street to the Riverfront. Exact route information and further festival details will be announced in early 2017.

“The Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and Parade truly reflects who we are as a city,” says Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther in support of next year’s relocation. “Columbus has distinguished itself as an open, diverse and inclusive community, and Downtown is an outstanding place to celebrate these values.”

The Columbus Pride Parade celebrated 35 years in 2016, and with over 500,000 people in attendance it is now known as the second largest event of its kind in the Midwest, attracting visitors from around the region and beyond. The 2017 edition of the event will take place on June 16th and 17th.

CLICK HERE to view our photo album from the 2016 Pride Parade.

For more information, visit www.stonewallcolumbus.org/Pride2017.