Howard County Pride 2024

This year, we are celebrating Finding Vibrance Everywhere at our 5th annual HoCo Pride Festival!!

Our Pride festival is a vibrant, family-friendly event that brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate diversity, promote equality, and foster a sense of community. The festival will feature a variety of activities, including live music, entertainment, vendors, food trucks, and games. Applications are open now for vendors, exhibitors, food stalls, and performers!

Our goal is to create a welcoming space where everyone can feel proud of who they are and who they love.

About HoCo Pride

HoCo Pride, Inc. is a collection of events and programs that are geared toward the support of, advocacy for, and education about the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Howard County. All proceeds earned go to supporting HoCo Pride!

About the Inner Arbor Trust

The Trust is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in Maryland. The mission of the Inner Arbor Trust is to promote and nurture a park in a unique natural setting for a variety of arts and culture experiences that enrich the entire community. The Trust works to develop Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods into a destination arts and culture park. In addition to operating the Chrysalis amphitheater, the Trust manages a substantial portion of the Park for recreational use.

Seating

All seating will be on the lawn. No lawn chairs may be brought in, but you may rent one onsite ($5). You may bring a blanket.

Concessions and Food Trucks

Come hungry! Food Trucks will be onsite. Concessions (including alcoholic beverages) are available onsite for purchase. No outside alcohol, coolers (small soft-sided lunch bags are permitted), wagons, or other large objects permitted.

No Pets

No pets except service animals are permitted at this event. We will miss our four legged friends, but please do bring canine companions to events where permitted.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at the top of Chrysalis hill.

Parking

Non-ADA parking is in Lot 2 (flat) and additional lots as assigned. If you need ADA parking please request it at check out or email [email protected]. P

lease CHECK YOUR EMAIL the day before the concert for final parking assignments and directions.

DIRECTIONS TO LOT 2 (flat)

For GPS purposes, please use the address 11000 Broken Land Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044 (you are going to the flat surface parking lot, not the garage).

From points north: Take 29 South to 175 West (Columbia). Continue as 175 becomes Little Patuxent Parkway, for approximately 2.3 miles. Make a left onto Merriweather Drive and follow the signs to Lot 2, which is to the right.

From points south: Take 29 North to Broken Land Parkway towards Town Center / Merriweather Post Pavilion. Make a right onto Little Patuxent Parkway, continue for approximately 0.2 miles. Make a right onto Merriweather Drive and follow the signs to Lot 2, which is to the right.

ADA Parking

If you need ADA parking, please make sure you select ADA parking during checkout. F or more information about parking please visit the Inner Arbor Trust website.

*Image shows the logo of First National Bank as a Founding Partner. Partner Organization logos for Columbia Associationand Howard County Recreation and Parks.*

This celebration is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council. To discover more about the Maryland State Arts Council and how they impact Maryland, visit msac.org.

*image shows an abstract version of the Maryland flag, the logo of the Maryland State Arts Council, which is part of the Department of Commerce.*

Host or Publisher Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods