The Festival

Admission fees help us offset the many Pride Week production expenses that have grown along with the size of the Festival. These expenses include such things as site rental, security and labor. Using a popular site like Canalside allows us to accommodate many more Festival-goers, but it also means needing more resources to ensure all attendees’ safety and enjoyment. Your continued generosity helps us create an exceptional experience for everyone. Proceeds from the Pride Festival also go toward supporting the mission and programing of the Pride Center of WNY, an affiliate of Evergreen Health.

In accordance with our event insurance and advisement from the SPCA, pets are NOT permitted at Pride Festival events. Task trained service animals are welcome.

According to a statement from the SPCA of Erie County: “Arts festivals, food festivals, summer fireworks displays and other crowded outdoor events are no places for dogs. Extremely hot weather paired with immense crowds of people and strange noises and scents heightens the stress level for many animals; the repetitive, exploding sound of fireworks is enough to make even the calmest animal frantic and sometimes aggressive. Your pet’s body is closer to the asphalt and can heat up much more quickly. The hot pavement can also burn unprotected, sensitive paw pads.” Click here for additional information about pet safety in the summer.

We strive to make all events as inclusive as possible. Please note, grassy and historic cobblestone areas can be challenging for individuals with walkers, wheelchairs and canes but there are accessible areas along various paved and boardwalk portions of this outdoor event location. There is a designated accessible viewing area for the stage. We are continuously looking for ways to improve the accessibility of the site.

All bags and persons at Canalside Live concerts (including Buffalo Pride Festival) are subject to security inspection. The following information is designed to assist in expediting the entry process.

Items that must be placed on the security inspection tables:

• ALL METAL
• Bags
• Cell phones
• Keys
• Electronic devices
• Chairs
• Blankets

Prohibited items at Canalside Concerts & Events:

• Any item deemed inappropriate or dangerous by security
• Weapons of any kind
• Backpacks and large tote bags (diaper bags and small purses are permitted – no larger than 12″ by 12″)
• Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia
• Fireworks
• Glass containers
• Outside food or beverage, including coolers
• All professional video and photo cameras
• Recording devices
• Selfie sticks, Tripods or Monopods
• Umbrellas
• Laser pointers
• Air horns
• Animals (unless a service animal)
• Bicycles (within the secure perimeter)

The Evergreen Foundation, an affiliate of Evergreen Health, coordinates and manages the Buffalo Pride Pride Parade and Pride Festival as a way to give back to the communities served by Evergreen Health and its affiliate organizations. If you have questions regarding the parade or festival please email hello@evergreenhs.org.

Click here for a link to the Festival map