2026 Equity March

As a permitted event, all participants in the march are encouraged to be a part of a registered group. Because we want everyone to feel a part of the march, we encourage anyone who supports equity to find or create a group to join the march.

Our main theme for this year’s Equity March is "Common Ground". We want to continue to bring focus to all members of our community and the importance of intersectionality with the understanding that any oppression or discrimination experienced by one community impacts other communities too. From social justice issues impacting the Black-Indigenous-People of Color (BIPOC) community, to legislation impacting women’s access to healthcare, and the legislation sweeping states that impact the transgender community and LGBTQAI youth - working towards a community where everyone can be their authentic self and feel safe and included is the goal and why we are marching for the ninth year in Akron! Standing together as a community and lifting each other up by becoming active in other marginalized community issues is how we achieve change. There is strength in numbers when we recognize we are on Common Ground!

The process of assigning the marching order is handled by Akron Pride Festival (APF) over the course of several weeks. We have many factors to balance in making this decision including tradition, special needs groups such as families, seniors, and people with disabilities, sponsor recognition, avoiding conflicting sound systems, and more. Our primary goal is to make sure that the march remains a wonderful experience for everyone who participates and an exciting, worthwhile experience to our millions of spectators from beginning to end.

We begin step-off at 10 am at Spaghetti Warehouse and the last group will reach dispersal at approximately 11:00 am. The march is a 0.6 mile walk.

Yes! We have mandatory Group Leader/Volunteer Training. 2024 Group Leader Trainings will virtual, and the dates are as follows:

• Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (6:00pm - 7:00pm)
• Thursday, August 13, 2026 (6:00pm-7:00pm)

Your group should choose a Group Leader or someone who can attend one of the mandatory training sessions. For participants who cannot attend any of the dates, please contact the March Committee at [email protected] to discuss alternative training options.

REGISTER FOR TRAINING HERE

That depends on where you are placed in the march order and the policies that will be announced at the Group Leader Training. Please plan to arrive an hour before your Step Off Time. We encourage you to plan ahead for food, water, sunscreen, and other necessities.

All marchers may park in Downtown Akron near lock 3 or Spaghetti Warehouse. Due to minimum parking availability, we encourage you to carpool with your team. Another option is to take Metro Bus, LYFT, or UBER to pride - enjoy the festival and let them drive for you! General parking will not be available in the Spaghetti Warehouse parking lot and march staging area.

The first LGBT Pride was held on the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in NYC. It was an unpermitted, explicitly political protest of anti-LGBT policies and attitudes. Our commitment at Akron Pride Festival is to recognize our Pride event as a March until complete and full equality and equity has been achieved for all LGBTQ+ people.

To bring The Equity March to life is expensive. Therefore, donations are applied to cover event costs such as supplies, equipment rental, and security. Of the proceeds not used for Akron Pride Festival 2026: 100% will be used for Akron Pride Festival 2027. This will help us continue celebrating with you for years to come.

There will be accommodations available. All information will be given at the mandatory group leader training. If you have any specific concerns, please the March Committee at [email protected].

At Group Leader training, you will have opportunities to update some information, such as the number of marchers and your group description. For changes, please get in touch with the March Committee at [email protected] as soon as possible.

The march is .6 miles long and will only utilize one car lane. Please keep this in mind when making your banner or signs. Also, keep in mind that the formation area will be very crowded during set-up. Care should be taken with banners, signs, musical instruments, props, etc., to ensure that they don't get stepped on or take up excessive space while waiting to begin the march. APF is not responsible for damage to any personal property during the march.

There are numerous creative ways to make an impact and gain recognition during the march. Music, costumes, branded giveaways, choreography, chants, or props can all help you stand out among the groups marching through Akron to support the LGBTQ+ community. We strongly encourage you to surprise us and showcase your creativity. At the very least, we recommend that all groups have a large sign or banner at the beginning of their group to identify who they are to spectators and media. Please remember that signs and banners will need to be visible on both sides of the route, up to 50 feet away.