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Accessibility at the San Diego Pride Festival

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Festival Accessibility Map

Stay tuned for the 2024 Festival Accessibility Map!

Here is the 2023 Festival Accessibility Map for reference. Layout and services subject to change.

What to Expect at the San Diego Pride Festival

  • The Pride Festival is a large festival with music and entertainment at five stages and additional areas, workshops, community resources, vendors, food, and more.
  • The Pride Festival is located at Marston Point., Balboa Park (6th Ave. & Laurel St. and around the Balboa Dr. loop)
  • The Festival is two days:
      • Saturday, July 20, 2024, 11 AM – 10 PM
      • Sunday, July 21, 2024, 11 AM – 9 PM
  • The Festival is a ticketed event.
  • Our Festival Line-Up and Schedule will be announced closer to the date of the event. You can follow Pride’s social media pages or check our website to stay updated with information.
  • An Accessibility Map will be available and will highlight key accessibility-related areas, including:
      • An Accessibility Booth and Area, located inside the festival near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr., about 300 ft. straight in from the Accessible Entrance on Juniper Rd. & 6th Ave.
      • An accessible seating area for the Stonewall Stage
      • Cool Zones and Rest Areas 
      • Accessible, gender-inclusive portable restrooms and hand-wash stations
      • Sensory Break Area
      • ADA Ramps

Entrance Policy

  • Security will be conducting bag searches and will have metal detectors to enter through at the entrance.
  • If you have a disability that requires you to bring a prohibited item, such as medication, food, beverages, or certain mobility devices, please enter through the Accessible Entrance and let the Security team know when you arrive. Click here for a list of prohibited items at the Pride Festival.
  • If you are not able to pass through a metal detector, please let Security know, and they will provide an alternative for you.
  • Groups of friends may enter through the Accessible Entrance with anyone requiring the Accessible Entrance. All guests must have a ticket or purchase a ticket at the Accessible Entrance, unless they are an attendant of a guest with a disability (see below).
  • Guests requiring an attendant can bring in their attendant at no additional cost, but the guest must have a ticket.

Accessible Exit

  • The usual Festival exit is at El Prado & Balboa Dr. If you are unable to make it to this exit, or would like to exit somewhere with easier access to the ADA shuttle and street, please check in at the Accessibility Booth, and say you would like to use the Accessible Exit. We will then coordinate with the Entry/Exit team to ensure you are able to exit safely.

Re-Entry Policy

  • You can exit and re-enter as long as you have a valid ticket for the day you are wanting to re-enter. 

Service Animals

  • Service animals are permitted at this event.
  • Non-service animal pets and emotional support animals will not be permitted at this event.
  • Service animal relief areas are any grassy or dirt areas throughout the festival that are out of the way of congested guest traffic. Waste can be discarded at any trash can throughout the festival. Doggy bags are available at the Accessibility Booth.
  • Water can be provided for service animals at the Accessibility Booth. Please provide your own water bowl for your service animal.

Mobility Accessibility Information

  • An Accessible Entrance to the festival is located at 6th Ave. & Juniper Rd.
  • The Festival is located at a park that has asphalt road, cement sidewalk, grassy areas, and dirt areas. 
  • The park is on a hill with a loop. A map will be posted closer to the festival date.
      • The Prism resource area near the entrance of the festival is located on a flat grassy section of the park and is about 0.1 miles long and 0.1 miles wide.
      • The loop leading through the vendor areas, resource areas, and to the different stages along Balboa Dr. is about 0.6 miles long and has a change in elevation of about 60 ft. (about a 3% grade), going downhill from the entrance to the bottom of the loop.
  • ADA ramps will be installed throughout the festival to support in navigating the various areas. Each ramp has a 15’ tall flag to help identify the location of an ADA ramp. In addition, the Accessibility Booth will have Accessibility Maps with the approximate location of all ramps marked.
  • A limited number of mobility devices will be available for use at the Festival. We encourage guests to bring their own mobility devices, if available. If you do not have your own device or find yourself needing one on the day of, we can provide one for you on a first come, first served basis. You can pick up a mobility device at the Accessibility Booth.
  • Mobility Device charging stations are available at the Accessibility Area, near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr.
  • An accessible seating area for the Stonewall Stage will be available. Capacity is limited to guests who require the accessible seating area and one companion.
  • Cool Zones and Rest Areas will be available throughout the event. Areas with limited capacity will be limited to guests who require the accessible area and one companion.
  • Accessible, gender-inclusive portable restrooms will be available throughout the event.
  • ADA shuttles are available. 

Sensory Accessibility Information

  • A Sensory Break Area will be available at the Festival, in the Accessibility Area near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr.
  • Sensory support items, including noise-reduction headphones and fidget tools will be available for use at the Festival and can be picked up at the Accessibility Booth near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr.
  • The best times to come to the festival for minimal sensory input and crowds will be from 11 AM-1 PM on Saturday and 11 AM-2 PM on Sunday. 
  • Here are some examples of sensory stimulation that you may encounter at the Pride Festival:
      • Loud noises, including cheering, clapping, music from five stages at multiple areas throughout the event, announcements, speeches, and people talking
      • Large amounts of people
      • Bright colors
      • Bright and flashing lights at night
      • Dancing and movement
      • Vendors speaking to you and giving out items
      • Scents from food vendors and other vendors and guests
  • Volunteers and event coordinators are encouraged to refrain from wearing scented products at this event.
  • No Smoking is allowed in Balboa Park.

Communication Accessibility Information

  • American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation will be provided for all performances, as well as select presentations and workshops. 
      • A detailed ASL schedule will be made available closer to the Festival date.
      • An ASL viewing area will be available for the Stonewall Stage.
  • ASL Interpreters will be available for assistance in communicating with vendors and other guests. Stop by the Accessibility Booth near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr. to connect with an interpreter.
  • Large print and braille schedule information will be available at the Accessibility Booth.
  • Large print, braille, or other print and communication methods for our information can be made available at the Accessibility Booth with advance request. Please contact [email protected] or (619) 289-8842 by June 14th to enhance our ability to fulfill your request.
  • If you are in need of anything else to support your communication at the event, please contact [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.

Offerings for Seniors

Click here to learn about offerings for Seniors at the Pride Festival

Transportation and Parking

COVID-19 Information

  • San Diego Pride adheres to best-practice COVID protocols based on local, state, federal, and global health guidelines.
  • As we navigate a world where COVID continues to be present, we ask that you not attend if you test positive for COVID, feel sick or ill or present any symptoms associated with COVID.
  • Face coverings, vaccinations, and obtaining a negative COVID-19 test, if accessible to you, are strongly recommended for attending this event.
  • This event will be outside. Guests may be in close vicinity with one another.
  • Masks will be available at our Accessibility Area.
  • Hand Sanitizer and Hand Wash Stations will be available throughout the event.
  • Please follow all CDC guidelines and recommendations for your safety and the safety of others.

Food Information

  • A variety of food trucks will be at the Festival. More information will be available closer to the event date.
  • An accessible dining area, where you can sit and enjoy your food, will be available in the Accessibility Area, near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr.

Questions

  • If you have any questions regarding accessibility at the Pride Festival before the event, please feel free to contact [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.
  • If you have any questions regarding accessibility when you are at the Pride Festival, please visit the Accessibility Booth, located inside the festival near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr., about 300 ft. straight in from the Accessible Entrance on Juniper Rd. & 6th Ave.

Click here to learn more about the San Diego Pride Festival.

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