For 12 years, Alki Beach Pride has transformed Seattle’s waterfront into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unique Pride celebrations. What began as a grassroots gathering has grown into Washington’s only true beach Pride, attracting thousands to West Seattle for a day of entertainment, community, health resources, and celebration.
Ahead of this year’s event on Saturday, August 15, I met up with Stacy Bass-Walden, co-founder of Alki Beach Pride, to preview what’s new, reflect on the festival’s impact, discuss the importance of representation within Seattle’s Black LGBTQ+ community, and share the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
Bigger Footprint, Better Experience
One of the biggest changes visitors will notice this year is a redesigned festival layout.
“Our footprint this year is larger than ever,” Bass-Walden explained. “We’ll have street closures from 61st Avenue Southwest down toward Blue Moon Burger with nearly 100 vendors, food trucks, nonprofits, artists, and community organizations lining both sides of the street.”
The expanded layout creates a more walkable festival while preserving one of Alki Beach Pride’s greatest attractions—the breathtaking backdrop of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline.
For first-time visitors, Bass-Walden encourages making a day of it.
“So many people have never even been to West Seattle or even know about Alki Beach,” she said. “We’re only about twenty minutes from downtown Seattle, and you can even take the Water Taxi over so you don’t have to worry about parking.”
Wellness at the Heart of Pride
While entertainment draws thousands each year, Bass-Walden says health and wellness remain central to Alki Beach Pride’s mission.
The festival’s expanded Health & Wellness Zone will feature mobile saunas, fitness demonstrations, chiropractors, wellness practitioners, and HIV/STI testing provided by community partners in private screening areas.
“This is a place where people can discover new approaches to wellness while also taking advantage of free health resources,” Bass-Walden said. “That accessibility is really important to us.”
A Festival Designed for Everyone
After listening closely to attendee feedback, organizers have relocated the main stage to offer better skylines and more room for audiences.
“We’re always trying to improve,” Bass-Walden said. “People wanted more seating, a better view of the water, and easier accessibility. We’ve worked hard to create a layout that gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the performances.”
Accessibility has remained a guiding principle throughout the redesign.
“We can never put the stage on the sand because that would exclude so many people. Everyone deserves to experience Pride.”
New this year are six rentable cabanas overlooking the stage, giving visitors a comfortable place to relax throughout the day, while open lawn areas remain available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Showcasing Emerging LGBTQ+ Talent
Entertainment has always been a hallmark of Alki Beach Pride, but Bass-Walden is especially passionate about giving opportunities to artists who may not yet be household names.
This year’s lineup includes Diamond St. James, Glen Coco, a Drag King Showcase, Denver-based drag king Toe King 666, rapper Telly, and performers traveling from across the country.
“I’m always looking for artists who don’t usually get opportunities on the big Pride stages,” she said. “Some of them are paying their own way just to perform here. I want to help elevate those voices.”
That philosophy has paid off over the years. Bass-Walden has welcomed artists long before they became nationally recognized, creating a platform where performers can be authentically themselves while connecting with audiences in an intimate setting.
Building Community Beyond the Stage
Families continue to be a major focus, with a dedicated Kids Zone featuring games, Pride-themed activities, and community organizations.
The festival will also feature dedicated gathering spaces for LGBTQ+ social groups—including leather, furry, lesbian, and other community organizations—hosted by neighborhood businesses throughout the day.
“It’s about building community,” Bass-Walden said. “Not everyone celebrates Pride the same way, so we want people to have places where they feel comfortable.”
Pride Doesn’t End at 7 p.m.
One of this year’s biggest additions is the return of an official after-party.
Hosted at Do Si Korean BBQ’s rooftop patio, the celebration continues from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., allowing attendees to stay in West Seattle after the main festival concludes.
“If you’re not ready to leave, you don’t have to,” Bass-Walden said. “We have more for you.”
Those looking for a quieter experience can join Sparked by Pride’s community bonfire, offering another opportunity to connect with new friends while enjoying one of Seattle’s most beautiful beaches after sunset.
A Legacy of Representation
As one of Seattle’s most visible Black LGBTQ+ leaders, Bass-Walden says representation has always mattered.
Alki Beach Pride was created to be a celebration where everyone feels seen, regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. That inclusive philosophy has helped transform the event into one of the region’s most diverse Pride celebrations.
“We’re always trying to create spaces where people feel like they belong,” she said.
That commitment has also helped highlight Black LGBTQ+ leadership within Seattle, inspiring future organizers and demonstrating what grassroots community-building can accomplish.
Recognized by Her Community
After more than a decade of volunteer leadership—and countless hours spent organizing the event without compensation—Bass-Walden says one recognition stands above the rest.
Last Month, she received Seattle Pride’s prestigious Patty Hayes & Doug Johnson Ackerman Award, one of the organization’s highest honors recognizing individuals whose extraordinary volunteer service and leadership have made a lasting impact on Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community.
For Bass-Walden, the award was far more than a trophy—it was validation that years of hard work had been seen.
“Receiving the Ackerman Award made me feel seen,” she reflected. “You’re volunteering your time, taking days off work, getting denied grant after grant, but you keep going because you believe in what you’re building.”
She also points to another milestone that still makes her smile: when Alki Beach Pride received an official proclamation from the City of Seattle during its 10th anniversary.
“It helped more people discover us,” she said. “Every year someone tells me, ‘I didn’t even know there was a Pride at Alki Beach.'”
Washington’s Only Beach Pride
Bass-Walden is quick to remind people that there’s an important distinction.
“We’re not just Alki Pride,” she laughed. “We’re Alki Beach Pride.”
That distinction matters because the event remains Washington state’s only true beach Pride, offering a uniquely Pacific Northwest experience where visitors can celebrate while overlooking Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, ferries, paddleboarders, and the Seattle skyline.
“It’s why people keep coming back year after year.”
Looking Ahead
As Alki Beach Pride enters its twelfth year, Bass-Walden hopes visitors leave with more than memories of drag performances, live music, great food, and spectacular waterfront views.
She hopes they leave feeling connected.
Whether someone comes for the entertainment, the wellness resources, the family-friendly atmosphere, or simply to find community, Bass-Walden believes Alki Beach Pride continues to fulfill the same mission it had from the very beginning: creating a welcoming space where everyone belongs.
Alki Beach Pride returns to West Seattle’s Alki Beach on Saturday, August 15, with festivities stretching along Alki Avenue from morning into the evening. Organizers encourage attendees to arrive early, consider taking the West Seattle Water Taxi, and experience a full day of celebration that extends well beyond sunset.
Volunteers needed for cleanup after the event, please reach out to Alki Beach Pride:
