Join us for the Upstate SC Pride March and Festival in downtown Spartanburg. The festival is open to all and features local businesses and organizations, food trucks, and performers!
Photo Credit: Lost in the Carolinas Photography
A year after UPSC was established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2008, members of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Spartanburg organized the inaugural March & Festival, attracting around 500 participants in a powerful display of support for the LGBTQ+ community in 2009.
Since that first event in Spartanburg, who allied with UPSC first, they have consistently promoted equality and acceptance, with annual March & Festival attendance steadily increasing to thousands. The organization's visibility in local media has grown significantly, and it has continuously sought innovative ways to serve and uplift the Upstate community in partnership with the City of Spartanburg.
Like many Pride festivals, our Fall March and Festival often attracts protestors. For your safety and enjoyment, do not engage with protestors. For more info, please see this volunteer video from Operation Rainbow Shield, a peaceful group of volunteers who aim to keep our festival safe and enjoyable for all by providing a buffer from hateful speech and protest signs.
The work we do is enabled by the generosity of our sponsors. Your sponsorship and donations have supported our collaborative LGBTQ+ organizations that provide gender-affirming care, advocacy, name change clinics, and the fight against legislative bans. You’ve also helped promote economic empowerment through our 3 annual events that provide vendor spaces, and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion via our speakers bureau.