Is Ames Pridefest back for 2022?

No.  For Ames Pridefest to happen downtown as a festival, planning has to start every year in the winter.  In January 2022, the reality of COVID helped us make the decision not to move forward with a festival for 2022.

What is Ames Pride doing since there isn’t a Pridefest?

Because of changes with COVID, we were able to plan for a Fall event in the absence of a festival.  We’re excited to be hosting a concert event in the parking lot at Big Wigs Bar in Ames - Ames Pride Presents: Big Wigs Block Party.  Local living legend Leslie Hall will open for 80’s pop superstar Tiffany!

Is this a family friendly event?

Families are welcome at the block party, but each family is encouraged to make their own determination for their youngsters. This event doesn’t include educational programming and community vendors, so it is not geared toward children. People under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. 

Who needs tickets and where do I get them?

Everyone will need to purchase a $20 ticket for admission to the block party. Click here to purchase a ticket. Ticket sales will be available up to the day of the event.

What's the schedule for the evening?

5:00 p.m. 

• Gates Open
• Food for sale by Hungry Boys Taqueria and Marmalade Moon homemade ice cream
• Big Wigs Bar and Nightclub Open (if you haven't seen it yet, check out the venue!)

7:00 p.m.

• Leslie Hall performs

8:00 p.m.

• Tiffany performs

More activities may be added to the schedule soon - check back!

What important details should I know?

• People under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• No outside food or beverages are allowed. Food and drink vendors will be available at the event.
• The concert will be held outdoors, so bring your own collapsible chair or blanket for seating.
• Only clear bags are allowed (more details below).

Where do I park? How do I get to Big Wigs?

A FREE Block Party shuttle provided by Ames Pride and Big Wigs will run 5PM to midnight. Park at or take CyRide to the McFarland Clinic West Ames location (3600 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014) to catch a shuttle to the venue. Shuttles will run every 30 minutes all evening. Special thanks to McFarland Clinic for providing their parking lot at no cost to Ames Pride!

Allowed and prohibited items:

Some restrictions on items brought into the venue are necessary for the security of our volunteers and performers. All attendees are subject to search at the discretion of security staff. Persons with prohibited items will not be allowed in to or will have to leave the venue. Prohibited items will not be held by staff during the event.

Allowed items:

• Bags - Plastic, vinyl, or PVC clear totes that do not exceed 12x6x12 inches and do not have a logo larger than 4.5x3.5 inches; one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (i.e. Ziploc or similar); small clutch bags no larger than 4.5x6.5 inches
• ​One empty beverage container or unopened water bottle per person, not to exceed 20 ounces. There are no water fountains/refilling stations on the property, but bottled water will be sold.
• Collapsible camping/bag chairs, blankets and childrens’ strollers.
  

​Prohibited items: 

• Weapons
• Outside food or drink
  
• Pets
  
• Professional cameras or video cameras (due to performers' contract request)
• Pop-up tents/cabanas/beach umbrellas or other items that could impede other attendees' viewing experience
  
• Noisemakers or other items that could harm the listening experience of other attendees​

Can I be a vendor at Ames Pride Presents: Big Wigs Block Party?

We will not have space for vendors at this event.