Tucson Pride, a not for profit Pride association, which had been in operation for 50 years abruptly shut down entirely on January 21, 2026, canceling it's February 21, 2026 PRIDE Festival.
Humanitarian activist Big Papa Hundo, who was born Jack Grace in Tucson Arizona, was not having it.
"You CANNOT cancel PRIDE! HOT NO!"
On January 24, 2026 Hundo announced the inaugural Tucson Pop Up Pride🏳️🌈, along with #savepride🏳️🌈. Hundo, who is currently on his humanitarian New Kicks in 26 TOUR supporting SEVA FOUNDATION (SEVA.ORG), is assisting the community in a decentralized PRIDE🏳️🌈 event.
Pop Up Pride (PUP) is a playful acknowledgement of Hundo's role as legendary Woodstock MC Wavy Gravy's DOG (Disciple Of Gravy). Hundo plays on the DOG theme in much of his LifeArt work, a tribute to Wavy Gravy and Jahanara Romney, his mentors and role models for over two decades.
"I was born and raised in Tucson and educate the public about the experience of growing up queer during the AIDS crisis. The world has changed but PRIDE cannot be cancelled. Pride isn't simply about celebrating queerness, it's about acceptance peace and love. We are all the same person trying to shake hands with ourself. Wavy Gravy said it. I believe it. That settles it. PRIDE is a celebration of unity. PUP is about decentralization, a community wide day and night of events and offerings. This is an opportunity for business to come out as accepting to the community and for the community to try something different and meet someone new. It's time to add a pride flag to your business or add a new one! Let's celebrate the history of 50 years of struggle for acceptance and honor that memory with resilience. "of welcoming businesses that wish tsolidarity and support for inclusivity in the Tucson community. Its a GOOD PUP! " Quipped Hundo
Pop Up PRIDE A DEcentralized celebration radical inclusivity
Tucson Pop Up Pride event on February 21, 2026, is a decentralized, community-driven initiative organized by Big Papa Hundo and others in response to the official Tucson Pride's cancellation and dissolution. As a "pop-up" event, there is no formal, pre-determined schedule of performers or activities in the traditional festival sense.
Ins
Tucson Pop Up Pride event on February 21, 2026, is a decentralized, community-driven initiative organized by Big Papa Hundo and others in response to the official Tucson Pride's cancellation and dissolution. As a "pop-up" event, there is no formal, pre-determined schedule of performers or activities in the traditional festival sense.
Instead of a single coordinated event with a lineup, the celebration is an informal gathering along 4th Avenue and in Downtown Tucson, encouraging local businesses and individuals to participate in the spirit of Pride.
Planned Activities & Format
Decentralized Format: The main characteristic is that the event is an organic, community gathering rather than a structured festival with a fixed entry point or stage times.
Individual Participation: Big Papa Hundo has confirmed his personal attendance and involvement, encouraging others to join in a show of community strength and visibility.
Local Business Involvement: The celebration relies on local bars, shops, and venues in the 4th Avenue area to host their own individual events, potentially featuring DJs and live music as seen in past smaller "pop-up" events.
Focus on Solidarity: The primary "activity" is the collective presence of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to ensure Pride is celebrated despite the lack of an official event.
How to Find Specifics
Because the event is decentralized, specific performance or activity details are generally available directly from the participating local venues or through community organizers' social media:
Venue Websites/Social Media: Check the social media pages of local businesses along 4th Avenue and in Downtown Tucson for their specific plans on February 21, 2026.
Big Papa Hundo's Platforms: For updates on the overall event and locations he will be visiting, follow Big Papa Hundo's Instagram account or check his website.
The goal is participation and presence, rather than a curated entertainment schedule.
TORNADO oF TALENT meet up
decentralized big SHOW of VISIBILITY SOLIDARITY RESILIENCE PEACE & LOVE
HIGH (AF) NOON
UNIVERSTITY OF ARIZONA MALL
PLEASE
BE PEACEFUL
BE YOURSELF
BE VISIBLE
BE KIND
BRING YOUR CIRCUS SKILLS
SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT
OPEN TO ALL
NEW TALENT
RARE TALENT
WELL DONE TALENT
WELL SEASONED TALENT
BURNT OUT TALENT
ALL WELCOME
DECENTRALIZED
POWER
TORNADO oF TALENT meet up
decentralized big SHOW of VISIBILITY SOLIDARITY RESILIENCE PEACE & LOVE
HIGH (AF) NOON
UNIVERSTITY OF ARIZONA MALL
PLEASE
BE PEACEFUL
BE YOURSELF
BE VISIBLE
BE KIND
BRING YOUR CIRCUS SKILLS
SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT
OPEN TO ALL
NEW TALENT
RARE TALENT
WELL DONE TALENT
WELL SEASONED TALENT
BURNT OUT TALENT
ALL WELCOME
DECENTRALIZED
POWERED BY THE PEOPLE
FOR THE PEOPLE
OF THE PEOPLE
BRING A SIGN
MEET FABULOUS PERSONS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE
STROLL TO FABULOUS 4TH AVE
STROLL TO FABULOUS DOWNTOWN
LATEHER RINSE REPEAT
OOOOOOOHHHHH YEEEEAAAH!
Humanitarian Activist Big Papa Hundo is organizing Pop Up Pride using a decentralized grassroots model, moving away from the traditional, permit-heavy structure of the now-dissolved Tucson Pride.
The strategy focuses on direct community action rather than a single gated event:
Public Space Occupation: Instead of a closed-off park, organize
Humanitarian Activist Big Papa Hundo is organizing Pop Up Pride using a decentralized grassroots model, moving away from the traditional, permit-heavy structure of the now-dissolved Tucson Pride.
The strategy focuses on direct community action rather than a single gated event:
Public Space Occupation: Instead of a closed-off park, organizers are encouraging community members to gather in public areas like 4th Avenue and Downtown Tucson. This leverages public sidewalks to maintain visibility without needing the expensive permits that contributed to the official organization's financial collapse.
"Show Up and Be Heard": The call to action is simple—wear your pride gear and occupy the space. This mimics the "street theater" style of Big Papa Hundo's background and signature style as a performance artist (the Humboldt Lorax Clown).
Business Partnerships: The effort relies on local businesses along the 4th Avenue corridor to act as safe havens and "mini-hubs" for festivities, a move echoed by other local leaders who hope to unite the community through existing queer-friendly venues.
Social Media Coordination: Because there is no longer a central office, information is being disseminated via Instagram and Facebook to bypass the need for traditional advertising budgets.
This "Pop Up" approach is designed to prove that the community's spirit isn't tied to a bank account or a specific board of directors.
Pop Up Pride is a decentralized community event scheduled for February 21, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona, organized in response to the cancellation of the traditional Tucson Pride festivities.
Background
The event was announced by "Big Papa Hundo," whose real name is Jack Grace and who is also known as the "Humboldt Lorax Clown." Grace decided
Pop Up Pride is a decentralized community event scheduled for February 21, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona, organized in response to the cancellation of the traditional Tucson Pride festivities.
Background
The event was announced by "Big Papa Hundo," whose real name is Jack Grace and who is also known as the "Humboldt Lorax Clown." Grace decided to organize the pop-up immediately after learning that the official Tucson Pride organization was closing its doors and canceling the 2026 event.
Purpose and Philosophy
The core philosophy behind the pop-up is a belief that "You cannot cancel PRIDE." The event is envisioned not as a replacement for the official parade, but as a demonstration of the queer community's strength, solidarity, and resilience. It emphasizes "power to the people" and community organizing.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Location: Planned for 4th Avenue and Downtown Tucson and beyond
Nature: It is decentralized. Bigpapahundo.com
#bigpapahundo #PopUpPRIDE #SAVEPRIDE #SEVAfoundation #waterwheelfoundation
February 24 2026
BE DIVINE