The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Date set for Pride 2021 celebration
MIDDLETOWN — The City of Middletown, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Wesleyan University and Russell Library have announced that the next Middletown Pride event is slated for June 5.
The parade and celebration is intended to be a demonstration and celebration of the history, lives and contributions of Middletown’s LGBTQIA residents, according to a press release.
“After just one year, Middletown Pride has become a signature event for our city, and I could not be more excited for next year’s celebration of our inclusive, open, and affirming community,” Mayor Ben Florsheim said in a press release. “I am grateful to everyone who made this day such a tremendous success in 2019, and look forward to an even bigger, better, and prouder Pride in 2021.”
Middletown Pride will consist of a parade down Main Street, followed by a festival on the South Green and its surrounding areas.
The parade will begin at 2 p.m., and the festival will kickoff immediately afterward, and run until 8 p.m. The festival will once feature live entertainment, food, a wide variety of vendors, information booths, and family-friendly fun, the release said.
“The day of the inaugural Middletown Pride event held in June of 2019 was a fabulous day in Middletown. The event had a strong economic impact, but more
importantly, Middletown Pride showed the world that Middletown is a vibrant and inclusive community, a community that we are proud to be a part of,” Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh said in the release.
“The energy and enthusiasm on display at the inaugural Pride event was an inspiration, and we’re excited to see it continue to grow,” Wesleyan President Michael Roth said in the statement.
“The purpose of the public library is to strengthen our community; one way we do that is by bringing together people with diverse lived experiences,” Russell Library Director Ramona Burkey said in the release. “We look forward to building on the amazing energy, enthusiasm and love that has been generated by Middletown Pride thus far, and continuing the tradition of showcasing Middletown as a thriving, kind and welcoming place.”
This year, Middletown Pride decided to move its event to earlier in June out of respect for Juneteenth, which falls on June 19. Middletown Pride will return to the third Saturday in June in the near future — June 18, 2022, and June 17, 2023.
To march in the parade, participate in the festival as a vendor, or apply to perform at the event, visit middletowpride.org. Sponsorship information is also available on the website. For information, contact Haley Stafford at the chamber at 860-347-6924 or email info@MiddletownPride.org.