Poughkeepsie Pride Festival Info

Poughkeepsie Pride is Sat June 13, 2026

FIND DUTCHESS PRIDE

Poughkeepsie Pride is hosted and produced by Dutchess County Pride Center. The Famous Dutchess Pride Quadruple Wide Tent will be positioned directly to the right when entering Waryas Park from Flowers Circle.

Staff and volunteers will be available here during the entirety of the Festival to answer questions, help find lost items, and way find. Safety concerns should also be reported directly here first, if possible.

  • Staff will be wearing pink and lavender T-Shirts with the Dutchess Pride logo.

  • Volunteers will be wearing bright pink lanyards.

Donations to the Pride Center and purchases of Dutchess Pride merch can be made here.

TRAFFIC

The entrance to Victor C. Waryas Park at John M. Flowers Circle will be closed to all thru traffic starting at 10:00am on the morning of Poughkeepsie Pride. Only vendors and staff will be permitted to enter after this time.

The Circle will be closed to all vehicle traffic at 11:00, and will remain closed until the conclusion of the Festival.

While N Water Street will remain open, traffic will be congested due to the March.

PARKING

Parking is very limited surrounding the festival. Please arrive early and plan accordingly.

Free Parking is located at the north vehicle entrance to Victor C. Waryas Park, which is located directly across the street from the Poughkeepsie Metro-North Station Parking Garage. There are two lots to park in. The upper lot immediately to the left as you pull in, and the lower lot at the bottom of the entry road to the right.

There is additional Free Parking available at the Poughkeepsie Metro-North Station just up the hill from Waryas Park. Both parking garage and surface level parking at the station are free on weekends in the designated areas.

Many surrounding streets also offer street parking.

PUBLIC TRANSIT

Both the Metro-North Railroad and Amtrak service the Poughkeepsie Station. Please check their apps for pricing and train times.

Once you arrive, the Festival is a convenient 5min - 0.2mi walk from the station. Please see below for an example route:

PROHIBITED ITEMS

The following are not allowed in or near the Festival:

  • Weapons of any kind, including firearms or knives;

  • Threatening or abuse behavior of any kind;

  • Sexual abuse or harassment of any kind;

  • Unleashed and/or unattended animals;

  • Cigarettes, joints, or other smoking except in designated areas;

  • Racism, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, or other intolerant attitudes of any kind (we hope this one is pretty obvious).

BATHROOMS

There are 10 porta-potties located south of the Pavilion, just off the Dutchess Pride Quadruple Wide Tent.

And just in case, in exchange for making a purchase, several local businesses may also let you use their restrooms. Help Support Poughkeepsie Local!

FOOD

Dozens of local restaurants and food trucks will be at the Festival. Enjoy Mexican, Jamaican, and American cuisines, then finish it off with mini pancakes, dirty sodas, or baked goods.

CHILDREN’S AREA

DAY ONE Early Learning Center is hosting a fun, engaging, educational children’s area within the Festival. They’ll have several fun activities for kids including face painting, arts & crafts, and more!

FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS

The Dutchess County SPCA and Incredible Pups Pet Rescue will have a pet hydration station near the center of the Festival for thirsty pups. They will also have information on adoption and volunteering.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Dutchess County Pride Center takes the mental and physical safety of everyone at Poughkeepsie Pride very seriously. Numerous security measures are being taken to ensure a joyful and peaceful event.

A large number of trained private security will be present at the Festival. They can be identified by their black T-Shirts with the word “SECURITY” on the back. Please address any safety concerns directly to them or to any Poughkeepsie Pride volunteer.

There will also be a number of City of Poughkeepsie Police Officers directing vehicle access and traffic in and around the Festival. We understand that not everyone will agree with their presence, and respect their viewpoints. The City of Poughkeepsie requires the presence of law enforcement for any large-scale event within its borders. Officers have agreed to maintain a respectful distance while they provide an additional security component to the Festival.

Dutchess County Pride Center (DCPC) reserves the right to change or alter any of the above information without advance notice. If changes are necessary, DCPC will make every available effort to communicate those as soon as possible. Please contact us directly if you have any further questions.

Crowd Notice/Release: Please be aware that by entering this area (2026 Poughkeepsie Pride March & Festival), you consent to your voice, name, and/or likeness being used, without compensation, in films and tapes for use in any and all media, whether now known or hereafter devised, for eternity, and you release Dutchess County Pride Center and its successors, assigns and licensees from any liability whatsoever of any nature. Do not enter this area (2026 Poughkeepsie Pride March & Festival) if you do not wish to be subject to the foregoing.