Middletown PrideFEST
June 1, 2024
Middletown PrideFEST is the State of Connecticut’s largest pride event held in downtown Middletown, Connecticut, on the first Saturday of June. PrideFEST starts at 12 pm and ends at 10 pm.
PrideFEST is an all afternoon street festival that includes family friendly fun and activities for all ages. PrideFEST consists of the Middletown Pride March, Pride Rally, two Pride Showcase Concerts, and a Tea Dance. Vendors and food trucks will be located on Main Street, and our 21+ area will offer cocktails and adult beverages with a perfect view of the South Green Stage. Don’t forget to stop by the Middletown Pride Merchandise Tent to purchase your exclusive Middletown Pride swag, sign up for our newsletter, and learn about what we do all year.
PrideFEST draws approximately 20,000 individuals, 130 vendors, and 80 marching groups from all over New England to downtown Middletown. Scroll down for more information and what you can expect at Middletown PrideFEST!
Participate in Middletown PrideFEST 2024
Applications for the 6th Annual Middletown PrideFEST are now live! Submit an application to March, Vend, or sponsor today!
Introducing the Grand Marshals of PrideFEST!
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Tony Ferraiolo
Grand Marshal
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Shanay Fulton
Grand Marshal
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Ethel De Luxe
Grand Marshal
Pride March
The Middletown Pride March takes place along all of Main Street in downtown Middletown. We believe that Pride is a demonstration and a celebration of our history, experiences, and progress towards equality. In order to be mindful of the fact that Pride is first and foremost a demonstration, the first half of the Pride March features the individuals and organizations who work every day to advance the rights and equality for the LGBTQIA2S+ community, including pride organizations, non-profits, etc. The second half of the Pride March will be focused on celebrating our history and our community with music, floats, and lots of fun!
The Pride March will commence in the North End at the intersection of Spring Street and Main Street, and will proceed south down all of Main Street until the intersection of Main Street and Union Street.
Pride Rally
The Pride Rally is where we all rally together on the South Green, with local activists and performers, to take a stand against the systemic oppression and violence towards our LGBTQIA2S+ communities, to honor our history, to advocate for Black Trans Lives, and to show up in force as a community to advocate for change.
This year, the theme of the Middletown Pride Rally will be on the necessity of supporting our LGBTQIA2S+ students in schools. Speakers will include the City’s LGBTQIA+ Commission, representatives of Middletown’s various Gender and Sexualities Alliances, a presentation of the Middletown Pride Scholarship Recipients, and a special Keynote Speaker. Stay tuned for more details!
This event will be ASL Interpreted
Pride Showcase Concerts
PrideFest will feature TWO Pride Showcase Concerts, one on the South Green and one on Main Street, where local performers, bands, some of the state’s best drag artists, and more, will wow you with their performances. You won’t want to miss it!
This event will be ASL Interpreted
Tea Dance at PrideFEST
PrideFEST will conclude with our 2nd Annual Tea Dance! At 7 pm our 21+ area keeps the fun going with drinks, food, and dancing! Tea Dance is provided by Jerry’s Pizza.
