Planning is underway for the third annual celebration of Pride Month in West Hartford.

The Pride flag was raised over Unity Green in West Hartford during a ceremony June 1, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

The courtyard, Isham Road, and the sidewalks of Blue Back Square were filled with positive energy and rainbows on the last Saturday in June 2021, and following up last year’s “incredible afternoon of joy and community,” organizers are planning a bigger than ever event for Saturday, June 25, including music, food, and fun for people of all ages, with the return of West Hartford Pride Festival and DragFest.

The third annual West Hartford Pride celebration is more than just one event, however – and will last throughout the month of June. A hybrid celebration, which includes some online as well as in-person events, West Hartford Pride will kick off with the raising of the Pride flag on Unity Green at 6 p.m. on June 1.

On June 2, a kickoff party, appropriate for all ages, will be held from 4-9 p.m. at GastroPark, 637 New Park Avenue.

Isham Road will be closed to traffic on Saturday, June 25, as the community-wide event will highlight the multifaceted contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community through music and other performances. The event will also highlight businesses and cultural venues from throughout the area. Visit www.westhartfordpride.org for the full calendar of events taking place across West Hartford.

“More than a party, WeHa Pride celebrates talent across the spectrum of arts, culture, music and performance,” and is appropriate for people of all ages, states an announcement of the event. “Inclusivity is a priority for the West Hartford Pride Planning Committee and its sponsors. West Hartford Pride welcomes people from across the spectrum of age, gender identity, race, sexuality, ability and class. This promises to be an event where everyone can see a piece of themselves celebrated and reflected back at them.”

Sponsored by the Town of West Hartford, Blue Back Square, and BeMindfulWeb.com, West Harford Pride is free and open to the public.

Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels. Contact sponsorship@westhartfordpride.org for more information.

West Hartford Pride Festival and DragFest. June 26, 2021. Photo credit: Sophie Christensen (we-ha.com file photo)

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