The Atlanta Pride festival is fast approaching, and when you’re not busy enjoying the chock-full entertainment roster on the Piedmont Park stages on Oct. 8-9, check out a packed schedule of tried-and true events and new additions. “We have something to offer everyone during the Pride Festival,” Pride Executive Director J.P. Sheffield says in a prepared statement. “All of our partners, sponsors and supporters have come together to make this the most dynamic year of programming yet.” New this year is a beefed up Dyke March (top photo), which means not only will women take to the streets on its traditional Saturday evening, they’ll party in the park before and after the march. A Pre-Dyke March Social & Crafting Get Down takes place at the dock, and the dykes throw down the Post-Dyke March Dance Party with DJ Speaker at the Bud Light Stage. Also new is a voter registration booth courtesy Georgia Equality and the Car & Motorcycle Show with Lambda Car Club and the Lost Boys motorcyle group on Saturday. Read up on Lost Boys. For Pridesters attending Yom Kippur services with the gay-led Congregation Bet Haverim and its Rabbi Joshua Lesser (second photo) on Saturday, complimentary shuttle service will be available throughout the day from the park to the services starting at 2:30 p.m. at the 14th Street gate. Pride says shuttle details will be on its website by Oct. 1. It’s part of the work Pride did with Bet Haverim and others to soothe the Pride-Yom Kippur overlap flap that erupted a few months ago. If you’re looking for the Mass Commitment Ceremony (bottom photo) that usually takes place on Saturday, that’s been moved to Oct. 6 as part of the Stride Into Pride pre-weekend events so that Lesser could help officiate the non-denominational service. The new additions share the park with some old favorites that have new twists, so check out the details to see if the location or time of your favorite event has changed. Here’s the full schedule of official park play from the Pride Committee announcement. SATURDAY, OCT. 8 Yom Kippur Services with Congregation Bet Haverim St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church 1790 LaVista Road NE High Holy Day services throughout the day. Out of town guests are welcome. There is no charge for services, but donations are accepted. For info, call 404-315-6446. Children’s Services: 6 and Under – 10:15am, Ages 7-8 – 11 a.m., Ages 9-10 – 11:45 a.m. Shacharit (Morning Service): 10 a.m. Avodah (Meditation Service)/Avodah (Learning Session): 3 p.m. Yizkor (Memorial Service): 4:30 p.m. Ne’ilah (Concluding Service): 6 p.m. Break Fast (Dairy/Vegetarian covered dish break-the-fast): 7:20 p.m. Free shuttle service to and from St. Barts starts from the 14th Street Gate in Piedmont Park. Shuttle begins at 2:30 p.m. and runs through 10:30 p.m. Children’s Show 10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Piedmont Park Pavilion – Bud Light Stage Fun for the whole family! This all-ages event features children’s entertainers. Free water will be provided. Join other LGBTQ parents for a chance to network! Atlanta Pride Car & Motorcycle Show With Lambda Car Club & The Lost Boys Motorcycle Club 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Roadway inside Piedmont Park between 12th & 14th Street gates Come check out a host of classic cars and stunning motorcycles. Owners will be on hand to discuss their vehicles, many of which they personally refurbished. Atlanta Pride Literary Showcase 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Piedmont Park Pavilion (Bud Light Stage) Join us for Atlanta Pride’s eighth annual literary showcase. The event highlights the works of local writers and poets. Authors will also be available to sign books during the showcase. Trans March Assembly at 1:15 p.m., Steps off at 1:45 p.m. Hospitality Center near the 12th Street gate This march celebrates and promotes visibility of the Trans community. The march takes place on the festival grounds and all Trans people and Trans Allies are welcome to participate. We encourage individuals to make and bring signs supportive of Trans issues. Please stay positive in your message. Dyke March Pre-Party Social & Crafting Get Down 3 p.m.-5:15 p.m. The Dock near the 12th Street gate We’ll have snacks, music for dancing, and super nice folks for socializing. Join us to craft pasties, signs to carry, sashes, or anything that will make you stand out from the crowd. All are welcome, so allies planning to cheer on the March, come make your signs, too! Dyke March Assembly at 5:45 p.m., Steps off at 6:15 p.m. Charles Allen gate The Dyke March, with its focus on women, unites to create an atmosphere of inclusion and community. The march is open to all women loving women (trans-inclusive) of any race, culture, orientation, ability, health, socioeconomic level, family structure, faith or age! You do not have to register for the Dyke March, simply show up at the Charles Allen Gate at 5:45pm. Post-Dyke March Dance Party 6:45 p.m.-9 p.m. The Bud Light Stage Join Dyke March volunteers and participants for a dance party with DJ Speakerfoxxx! Everyone is welcome at this free event, so come out and bring a friend! Official Atlanta Pride Women’s Party Peach Mega Dance Party 9 p.m.-2 a.m., 18 & over Center Stage/The Loft 1374 West Peachtree St. Curve Magazine & Pandora Events host the hottest women’s party in the South. The Peach is Pride’s signature women’s dance. Taste the sweetness and celebrate with two dance floors, special guest DJ Lisa Pittman and thousands of women from all across the country. $15 advance/$20 door if available SUNDAY, OCT. 9 Atlanta Pride Parade Kicks off at 1 p.m. Sponsored by Delta Air Lines, the annual parade is the largest in the City of Atlanta. Join tens of thousands of spectators as we celebrate our Pride on the streets of Midtown, from Peachtree Street south to 10th Street and east to the Charles Allen gate of Piedmont Park. The Starlight Cabaret 7:05 p.m.-9 p.m. Coca-Cola Stage The best drag entertainment that the city has to offer. The Starlight Cabaret closes out Pride weekend each year and is always a crowd pleaser. Official Atlanta Pride Closing Party 9:30 p.m.-3 a.m., 21 & over Opera Night Club 1150 Crescent Ave. NE Close out your Pride weekend with party promoters Chris Coleman Enterprises. Enjoy three amazing levels, a gorgeous outdoor terrace and VIP service with DJs Chus + Ceballos. DJ Scorpio provides an opening set. Advance tickets at Simply Sun Tanning for $15 before Oct. 1, $20 after. ALL WEEKEND Pride Human Rights Exhibit 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The bridge over the Piedmont Park lake This is the 5th anniversary of the exhibit, which focuses on health related issues in the LGBT community, including the 30 year anniversary of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Pride Marketplace 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Featuring over 200 vendor booths, the Pride Marketplace is the largest expo of its kind in the Southeast. The Community Health Expo 10 a.m.-7 p.m. "Blue" Marketplace Section Community health and service organizations gathered in one central location. Whether you need a hepatitis vaccine, information on preventing breast cancer, an HIV test or general information on staying healthy, these organizations can help. Voter Registration with Georgia Equality Noon-5 p.m. Charles Allen Gate Register to vote with the guidance of knowledgeable volunteers provided by Georgia Equality, the statewide LGBT rights group. Lesser and Commitment Ceremony photos by Sher Pruitt