Dawn Richard To Headline 4th Annual Springfield Pride Parade Weekend
2025 Fundraising Gala theme Inspired by the Iconic Studio 54
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Judi Crowell joined this virtually with Taurean Bethea, Executive Director of Springfield Pride Parade, this morning for the 4th Annual Springfield Pride Parade Kickoff Press Conference.
This year’s Springfield Pride Parade Kickoff Press Conference was held virtually for the first time and featured remarks from Mayor Sarno; Commissioner Caulton-Harris; Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Judi Crowell; Springfield Pride Parade Executive Director Taurean Bethea; Kendall LeSane, who serves as Baystate Health’s Senior Director, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Eunice Guidry, Manager of Advancement & Alumni Relations at Springfield Technical Community College; and Lawrence Thomas, Senior Director of Operations for the Springfield Pride Parade Organization.
The 4th Annual Springfield Pride Parade Weekend is coming June 5–7, 2025, and it’s bigger, bolder, and prouder than ever. Join thousands from across New England for a three-day celebration packed with unity, joy, and purpose — from the LGBTQIA+ Flag Raising and Youth Community Panel to the dazzling YOU Ball Fundraising Gala, our unforgettable Parade, and the epic Pride Block Party.
During the Kickoff Press Conference, the Springfield Pride Parade organization unveiled the theme reveal of this year’s You Ball Fundraising Gala: Iconic Studio 54. Taurean and team also announced that Dawn Richard will headline the 4th Annual Springfield Pride Parade Block Party.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated, “Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Judi Crowell and are looking forward to once again joining with Taurean Bethea, who I commend and thank for his vision and leadership efforts, and our Springfield LGBTQIA+ community on for all of our Springfield Pride Parade Weekend festivities! The Pride Parade has grown each year and we are excited to be part of the many wonderful events like the Pride Flag Raising, the You Ball, the Springfield Pride Parade, and of course Block Party. We have had a wonderful time marching and celebrating with the thousands of participants in years past, and this year will be no different. A good person is a good person, no matter what creed, color, background, sexual orientation, or gender identity. As a longtime member of Mayors Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination, I am proud to stand in solidarity with the community to remind all that each of us deserves the same level of equality and respect. This month in particular, as we recognize Public Health Month, we thank and acknowledge those who have fought for equality for our LGBTQIA+ community and recognize that respecting the rights of all makes for a better city and community.”
The 2025 4th Annual Springfield Pride Weekend is sponsored by Springfield Department of Health & Human Services, MassMutual, Baystate Health, Springfield Technical Community College and more. The weekend’s highlight events include:
Pride Flag Raising
Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 10:30 AM EST
Youth Community Panel
Sponsored by Liberty Bank, Moderated by Kenneth Kyrell (@KennethKyrell)
Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
You Ball: A Studio 54 Experience
Friday, June 6, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Springfield Pride Parade
Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Springfield Pride Parade Block Party featuring Dawn Richard
Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 1:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Additional sponsors for the 2025 Springfield Pride Parade include MGM Springfield, TD Bank, Liberty Bank, Wellfleet Insurance, M&T Bank, GILEAD Sciences, Community Foundation of Wester Massachusetts, WWLP/CW, Western Mass News, Holyoke Community College and Masslive Media.
For additional information, visit https://springfieldprideparade.org/.
