Kick Off Pride Season in WNY
By Joining Niagara Pride For The
5th Annual WNY Pride 5K
Fun Run/Walk
&
LGBTQ+ Wellness Event
Niagara Pride's WNY Pride 5K & LGBTQ+ Wellness Event returns in 2026, with a number of new elements and features, making it not only the premier LGBTQ+ health and wellness focused event in all of WNY, but also the event to kick off Pride Season in our area!
Last year, we broke records by having 118 runners/walkers and over 60 vendors in attendance! We're hoping to break records again and have even more people, groups, agencies, and businesses be part of this celebration!
For 2026, the WNY Pride 5K & LGBTQ+ Wellness Event will feature:
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Several local health providers as vendors sharing information about LGBTQ+ specific and/or LGBTQ+ affirming programs and services
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Opportunities for on-site testing and screenings
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The WNY Shopping with Pride Village - LGBTQ+ and ally vendors will be present to sell various items, crafts, and merchandise
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Drag performances from various local performers
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and new this year...The WNY Pride 5K Drag Race - watch your favorite local drag performers race to the finish line to see who will be crowned WNY's Fastest Drag Superstar!
This is a fun run/walk...so you can run, strut, or sashay your way across the finish line!
DATE
TIME
5K START TIME
LOCATION
PARKING
FOOD
Saturday, May 9, 2026
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
10:00 AM
SUNY Niagara
3111 Saunders Settlement Rd
Sanborn NY 14132
Free on campus
Participants will receive a hot dog, chips, and soda/water as part of their registration
WNY PRIDE 5K PARTICIPANTS
The 5K is an all-inclusive event, allowing for individuals of all ages, ability levels, and experiences to participate. Individuals can run or walk the event. We encourage local businesses, corporations, agencies, organizations, and Pride groups to enter as teams, showing your support for the WNY LGBTQ+ community.
Sign Up to be a 5K participant
by purchasing your entry ticket below:
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SPONSORSHIP
Thanks to incredible sponsors in 2025, our goal of raising $30,000 to establish and operate the first and only LGBTQ+ Youth Drop-In Program in Niagara County was achieved. We cannot thank our community partners enough for making this happen.
In 2026, Niagara Pride is looking to build on its mission of providing services and programming to all parts of Niagara County, including the most rural areas. To do this, the agency is looking to raise $75,000 to purchase a van that will establish the first mobile Pride Unit in Niagara County.
In a county that is 522 square miles-much of it rural and agricultural- “Mobile advocacy” is the difference between an agency that exists and an agency that is present. For Niagara Pride, a mobile unit isn’t just a van; it is a bridge to ensuring LGBTQ+ individual have access to safe and affirming programs. In rural WNY, the “closet” is often enforced by geography. If an individual must drive 45 minutes to Niagara Falls from Olcott or an hour to Buffalo from Royalton-Hartland to find an affirming space, the cost of gas/parking, the risk of a broken-down car, or the fear of being seen in a specific neighborhood can prevent people from ever seeking help.
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A Niagara Pride mobile unit can bring critically needed information and resources, as well as through strategic community partnerships, services to rural parts of Niagara County, where access to such things is limited or non-existent.
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Sexual Health: Immediate access to sexual wellness items, referrals for PrEP, and testing kits.
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Legal Aid: On-the-spot help with name-change paperwork or notary services for advanced directives (critical for LGBTQIA2S+ seniors).
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Survival Supplies: For unhoused LGBTQIA2S+ youth-who are 120% more likely to experience homelessness-this can provide “Safe Kits” (hygiene products, socks, school supplies, etc.).
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We thank you in advance for helping us reach our goal!
Interested in sponsoring?
Pay By Mail
Niagara Pride
1522 Main St.
Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Sponsorship Levels
Bronze
$100 - $499
Sponsor is mentioned on the event t-shirt and all printed materials, as well as on our social media.