NORTHAMPTON — Organizers expect up to 40,000 people to join the 38th annual Noho Pride Parade and Pride Day on May 4.
Rain or shine, participants will march from Old South Street, down Main Street to the Three County Fairgrounds at 11 a.m. Throughout the day, there will be various performers to entertain the crowds, from singers to comedians to drag queens. Noho Pride organizes the parade each year.
“It gets to mean something unique for each person,” said J.M. Sorrell, the Noho Pride spokesperson.
This year, the parade is hosting the first “Love Happens at Pride” wedding. Wedding giveaway winners Victoria Halsted and Shienne Daniels will get married on the Noho Pride stage by Mayor David Narkewicz. Flowers, food and a limousine are being donated by local companies for the wedding.
The parade was first held in 1982. Over time, the event has become one of the largest events that the city hosts each year, Sorrell said.
“So, for me, as a 58-year-old lesbian feminist activist for many years, it means that I see what it was like 38 years ago versus today, and I’m just wowed by that,” said Sorrell. “For a younger person, it may mean not feeling isolated and understanding that there are others out there as you’re coming into your own.”
There are three landmarks in April in May for LGBTQ community: the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, the 30th anniversary of Gov. Michael Dukakis signing LGBTQ non-discrimination legislation and the 15th anniversary of Massachusetts legalizing gay marriage.
Leading the parade is the Dykes on Bikes, a lesbian motorcycle group that participates in pride events across the country. Sorrell, a member of the group, said their appearance was one of the events that she’s looking forward to most.
“I ride and lead with the Dykes on Bikes,” Sorrell said. “Around the country, in San Francisco, New York, Boston and other places, the Dykes on Bikes historically are in the front. I just think there’s something wonderful about that, putting women first, too.”
Four speakers will head a series of talks intended to highlight progress in the LGBTQ community. Editor, writer and activist Justin Cascio; advocate at the Department of Children and Families Effie Molina; creative writer and community educator James Shultis; and author Irene Bank will give talks on topics from the history of the gay rights movement in New York to efficiently using your voice to make a change in the community.
This year’s host, drag entertainer Hors D’oeuvres, will open the entertainment segment of the event. Kalliope Jones, a band from Goshen, and Tyler Conroy, a local singer-songwriter, will perform, and there will be multiple drag shows. All performances will be accompanied by ASL interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing. There will be a sectioned off youth area with activities for children.
Attendance at the festival is free, and there will be free parking at the Three County Fairgrounds. This year, the festival cost about $60,000, generated from donations by local organizations.
After the festival, those over 18-years-old and older can attend an after-party at Club V. Tickets are $10 to $15, and all proceeds will go to funding Noho Pride 2020.