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The Blue Ridge
Pride Pageant 2023
The Blue Ridge Pride Pageant is one of the highlights of the gay calendar in Asheville and attracts visitors from across North Carolina and beyond
Blue Ridge Pride Festival 2023
The Blue Ridge Pride Pageant is one of the highlights of the gay calendar in Asheville and attracts visitors from across North Carolina and beyond.
- Stay at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel, gay-friendly location, located in the heart of downtown and steps away from the Thomas Wolfe House and some of Asheville’ most buzzworthy restaurants.
The Pageant
- Each year in September, the town of Asheville welcomes a drag queen invasion as acts from North Carolina and beyond descend upon the town to compete and perform at the town’s popular gay bar, Banks Ave. The Blue Ridge Pride Pageant is a treasured part of Asheville culture.It brings together the entire community, whether they identify as LGBT or not!
- The dazzling spectacle has truly become seasoned by Asheville’s flavors of openness, artistic expression, and diversity. It is one of the few pride pageants in the nation to be open to “drag queens, kings, and things”, making it as unique and eccentric as the town’s reputation!
- The pageant is organized by Blue Ridge Pride and pits dueling drag queens against each other for the title or Miss Blue Ridge Pride.
- Categories include a per-interview, a pride flag costume competition, an onstage one-on-one and a talent competition. The winner will be chosen by a panel of experts and audience participation.
The Venue
- Banks Ave is an all-inclusive bar featuring drag shows, pool tables, skee-ball, karaoke, & trivia and can be found at 32 Banks Ave.
- The venue also hosts the annual Pride Sunday Funday Tea Dance and several variety shows and community events. It is a 4-minute drive from downtown Asheville.
- Stay close to the event at the Kimpton Hotel Arras, rated “Superb” by guests with spacious rooms featuring a modern design in a perfect location.
Gay Asheville
- Asheville has become well known for many things, and drag, surprisingly, is one of them. Yes, way out here in the mountains of North Carolina there is a steadily growing drag community – and locals seems to love it, much to the pleasure of bars, nightclubs, and even more unique establishments that now feature regular drag shows.
Where to stay?
The following Asheville hotels are popular with our readers. All are close to the pride celebrations and the town’s top attractions:
Haywood Park Hotel, Cambria Hotel, Kimpton Hotel Arras, The Windsor
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Where we stay!
Kimpton Hotel is our editors
choice when we are in Asheville
Official Website
For further information and advice on
The Blue Ridge Pageant Facebook
Gay Map of ASHEVILLE
Recommended Hotels in Asheville By Booking
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Asheville that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Haywood Park Hotel
4 Star – Central Location
Haywood Park Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection, is located in Asheville city centre, just a 10 minutes’ drive from the Biltmore Estate. Guests can start their day with a complimentary breakfast and then get a quick workout in the on-site fitness centre
Cambria Hotel
4 Star, Luxury
Located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville features a fitness centre, terrace and shared lounge in Asheville. 3.6 km from Biltmore Estate. Guests can enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant or relax in the bar.
Kimpton Hotel Arras
4 Star – Great Amenities
Kimpton – Hotel Arras, an IHG Hotel features a restaurant, fitness centre, a bar and shared lounge in Asheville. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property
The Windsor Asheville
4 Star – Perfect Location
Located in Asheville, this boutique hotel features a full kitchen and free WiFi in every suite. A flat-screen cable TV & a seating area are standard in all suites. Extras include hardwood floors and furnishings, a washing machine, and a tumble dryer.
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Asheville, North Carolina Top Things To Do
Recommended Hotels in Asheville By Expedia
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Expedia
We have chosen hotels in Asheville that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
DoubleTree
4 Star, Great Pool
Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free hotel has an indoor pool & a 24-hour fitness center. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, a bar/lounge, a coffee shop/café, & a snack bar/deli are onsite. All 140 rooms provide free WiFi & free wired Internet, TVs with cable channels, & conveniences like sofa beds & sitting areas.
Omni Grove Park Inn
4 Star, Great Value
10 restaurants, a full-service spa, and a golf course are available at this resort. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, an indoor pool, 4 bars/lounges, and a health club are onsite. All 513 rooms provide conveniences like refrigerators and coffee makers, plus free WiFi and LCD TVs with digital channels.
Grand Bohemian
4 Star, Readers Choice
Along with a full-service spa, this smoke-free hotel has a restaurant and a fitness center. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a bar/lounge, valet parking, and massage/treatment rooms. All 104 rooms offer free WiFi and free wired Internet
Foundry Hotel
4 Star, Modern Classic
This smoke-free hotel features a restaurant, a 24-hour fitness center, and a bar/lounge. Free WiFi in public areas and a free area shuttle are also provided. Other amenities include a snack bar/deli, valet parking, and conference space. All 87 rooms offer thoughtful touches like pillow menus
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