Atlantic City is proudly raising the rainbow flag higher than ever with the launch of the First Annual Great Pride Festival, taking place on Sunday, June 22, from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This vibrant celebration of love, inclusion, and unity is being presented in partnership by the City of Atlantic City’s Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs, The ByrdCage, and the iconic Miss’d America Pageant.
Hosted by Sandy Beach, the Great Pride Festival will center around Atlantic City’s newest LGBTQ+-owned and operated venue, The ByrdCage, located at 3426 Atlantic Avenue, and extend into the neighboring O’Donnell Park. The Great AC Pride kicks off with 400 ‘ of America’s largest progress pride rainbow flag pouring out of the ByrdCage and blanketing the festival in rainbow spirit accompanied by members of the Philadelphia Freedom Marching Band and Color Guard.To fully embrace the festivities, a portion of Atlantic Avenue (from Boston to Providence Avenues) will be closed to traffic and transformed into a colorful corridor of live music, DJ’s, local craft vendors, a kid zone, food and beverage offerings, drag shows, and joyful celebration.
“This festival is more than a party — it’s a powerful symbol of visibility, love, and community,” said the owners of The ByrdCage. “In a time when LGBTQ+ rights are being challenged across the country, we’re creating a space that honors our history, affirms our presence, and celebrates our pride — loudly, unapologetically, and together.”
Atlantic City has long been a safe haven and destination for the LGBTQ+ community, with a rich legacy that dates back to well before the Stonewall era. The opening of The ByrdCage on January 24, 2025 marked a historic moment — as the first gay-owned and operated restaurant and lounge in the city since Studio Six closed its doors in 2002. It has quickly become a beacon for LGBTQ+ culture, expression, and celebration.
This year’s Eagle Sponsor is Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, with generous participation from AtlantiCare, Epic Insurance, Conservatory Cannabis, Historic Organ Restoration Committee at Boardwalk Hall, and Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City. The support of these community stakeholders reflects a growing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in Atlantic City’s future.
“As we launch the Great Pride Festival, we are honoring the past, embracing the present, and building a future where every member of the LGBTQ+ community feels seen, supported, and celebrated,” said Judah Dorrington, Director of the City of Atlantic City’s Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs.
Admission to the Great Pride Festival is free in its inaugural year. Free public parking will be available on Boston Avenue between Atlantic and Pacific Avenues. The Claridge Hotel is offering a special room rate for attendees of the Great Pride Festival; use code: PRIDE25.
And the celebration doesn’t stop at 7:00 PM. The party will continue into the wee small hours back at The ByrdCage, with dancing, entertainment, and all the electric energy that only Atlantic City can provide.
For more information and updates, follow @TheByrdCageAC and @MissdAmericaPageant on social media.
