Atlanta Pride has officially announced its theme for the 2025 festival: “Rooted in Resistance,” marking the organization’s 55th anniversary on October 11 and 12.
This year’s theme commemorates the LGBTQ+ community’s rich history of activism and emphasizes the importance of continuing the fight for equality.
It pays homage to pivotal events such as the Stonewall uprising and aims to inspire ongoing efforts toward visibility, justice, and inclusion.
Chris McCain, the executive director of Atlanta Pride, stated, “This theme is a call to remember our past, acknowledge our ongoing struggles, and empower every individual to contribute to a future where all LGBTQ+ people can thrive.”
In addition to the two-day festival, Atlanta Pride is committed to its year-round initiatives, including the Pride Across the Peach State initiative, which supports smaller Pride events throughout Georgia.
Volunteer registration for the festival has already opened, with more information available on their website.
Moreover, local cultural engagement continues to flourish as Dad’s Garage Theatre reintroduces its family-friendly improv show, “Wowie Zowie.”
Scheduled performances will occur on Saturdays at 3 p.m. from July 5 through August 23, aimed at children aged 4 to 12.
During these performances, kids in the audience are encouraged to participate by sharing jokes, aiding in storytelling, or even joining in dance breaks, though participation is entirely optional.
The organizers highlight that “Wowie Zowie” serves as an accessible introduction to live theater for young audiences, also catering to families, older siblings, and parents alike.
Concessions will be available, offering snacks for children and a full bar for adults.
Tickets are priced at $15 and can be purchased through their website.
In a different community enhancement, Town Center Community is also expanding its bikeshare program to include e-bikes and a refreshed fleet of pedal bikes, celebrating its 10-year anniversary.
Beginning in July, the fleet will add 10 e-bikes and replace 35 existing pedal bikes with new models, marking a significant milestone as the program celebrates 100,000 rides since its launch in 2015.
This initiative aligns with a system integration that will allow KSU students to rent and return bikes across various locations, including the Town Center, KSU Marietta Campus, and new stations planned for the Kennesaw Campus.
While non-KSU users will still access the Town Center locations, the bikeshare system operates 24/7 and features 45 bikes across six stations.
Pricing for rentals includes a complimentary first hour for both pedal and e-bikes, followed by fees of $3 per hour for pedal bikes and $2 per 30 minutes for e-bikes.
To commemorate its journey, Town Center has planned various events such as yoga sessions, pop-up shops, and a sweepstakes where participants can win an electric bike.
The Mimms Museum of Technology and Art is also joining the wave of exciting local initiatives by launching a new summer series called “Night Mode.”
This after-hours summer series will offer extended access to its art and technology exhibits on selected Fridays, featuring hours from 5 to 9 p.m. on June 13, July 11, and August 8.
Guests can expect full exhibit access alongside a card-only bar serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
“Night Mode” aims to provide a relaxed evening atmosphere for those who cannot visit during traditional hours, allowing more people to enjoy exhibits that include an original Enigma machine and vintage supercomputers.
Regular admission rates apply, but museum members can enter for free along with one guest.
While all ages are welcome, alcoholic beverages are strictly available for guests aged 21 and older.
The museum is also hosting an array of summer events, including Sensory-Friendly Mornings, demos featuring Punch Card Machines, and “Educator Saturday” on August 30, providing free admission for K-12 educators.
More information is available on the museum’s website.
In an adventurous endeavor, paddlers from across the nation are set to gather for Paddle Georgia 2025, embarking on an 82-mile river journey starting from Ringgold on June 16.
This event, organized by Georgia Rivers, will take participants along South Chickamauga Creek, eventually reaching the Tennessee River before concluding in Stevenson, Alabama, after a week-long trip.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Paddle Georgia is recognized as the largest weeklong canoe and kayak camping trip in the United States, with a goal to promote river conservation and education while raising funds for protecting Georgia’s waterways.
Participants can expect to explore scenic sites such as Ruby Falls, Rock City, and Russell Cave National Monument, camping at various public and private sites along the route.
This journey not only showcases the natural beauty of the region but also sparks discussions about public access to Georgia’s rivers and streams.
A part of each registration fee supports advocacy efforts and the development of water trails.
Since its inception in 2005, Paddle Georgia has engaged over 7,000 participants while raising more than $900,000 dedicated to river protection.
More details about the event can be found on the organizing body’s website.
Furthermore, Discover Dunwoody and Passion Soccer Academy will unveil a partnership during the upcoming “Viva la Copa” event on June 22 at Ashford Lane Lawn in Dunwoody.
Open to the public and free of charge, this lively event will run from noon to 11 p.m.
The collaboration aims to enhance soccer programming, tourism initiatives, and youth development in the area, with Passion Soccer Academy focusing its efforts on helping Hispanic youth through soccer-based methodologies rooted in Argentine training.
Live screenings of FIFA Club World Cup matches, interactive games, live music, food and beverage vendors, and local soccer player appearances will be highlighted during “Viva la Copa.”
Creating invaluable tourism support, a hotel booking platform is being launched that benefits Passion Soccer Academy through select reservations.
Ray Ezelle, president and CEO of Discover Dunwoody, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to support the inspiring work of Passion Soccer Academy and its impact on youth in our community.”
Lastly, in news from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Kevin Dancy has been appointed as vice president and regional executive for its Research Division, effective July 1.
In this new position, Dancy will spearhead strategic efforts for the Regional Economic Information Network in Georgia while also contributing to broader monetary policy and outreach initiatives.
Having joined the Federal Reserve System in 2016, Dancy brings experience from roles at both the Dallas and Richmond Feds, most recently as an assistant vice president in Operations and Administrative Services.
He holds degrees from Texas Southern University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Houston.
Additionally, significant land conservation efforts are highlighted as The Trust for Public Land successfully facilitated the donation of over 766 acres of forested land to Douglas County.
This strategic donation aims to protect regional water resources and expand public access to the vital Chattahoochee River, featuring approximately 1.6 miles of river frontage where the Chattahoochee and Dog Rivers converge.
The donation aligns with the Chattahoochee RiverLands project, a progressive initiative aiming to create a 100-mile linear park connecting parks and natural areas throughout the metro Atlanta region.
The acquired land will integrate into Dog River Park and the Dog River Recreational Complex, presenting future opportunities for enlarging the nearby Dog River Reservoir, a crucial drinking water source.
Georgia Dusenbury, Georgia State Director at the Trust for Public Land, reflected on the significance of this project, noting, “This project brings together conservation, recreation, and critical infrastructure in one legacy gift.”
In response, Douglas County officials commended the donation for enhancing water security and recreational opportunities for local residents.
The county will oversee improvements to the reservoir to cater to the expected growing water demands.
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