‘Joy as resistence’ on display at Franklin County Pride Parade and Festival

GREENFIELD — A rainbow sea flooded Sanderson, Federal and Main streets on Saturday as about 2,500 people decked out in rainbow tutus, shirts, hats and flags braved the 90-degree heat for the ninth annual Franklin County Pride Parade.

“It’s a joyous protest, it’s a joyous celebration,” said Jake Krain, the parade coordinator with Franklin County Pride. “It’s both coming together and supporting one another and the history of Pride and everybody who’s come before us, but also in this current moment, it’s a moment to come together and say, ‘There’s more of us, we’re stronger together.'”

After marching to drumbeats and roaring trombones and tubas, the parade ended at Energy Park, where state Sen. Jo Comerford spoke to the attendees and kicked off a lineup of 12 musicians.

About 50 local vendors packed the festival, selling crafts, clothes and quick bites.

Krain traced the celebration’s growing support to its home base in Franklin County.

“Western Mass. is a very political region in the best way,” Krain said. “We live in an area that really does believe in local politics and that change can happen at the smallest level.”

“It’s hot, people show up, it’s raining, people show up — people want to be here and they love to see this happen,” added Franklin County Pride vendor coordinator Kacie Dean, referring to last year’s rainy weather.

This year’s theme was “Together We Rise,” a message that packs a punch in 2026, according to several volunteers and visitors.

“This year, things are getting really heated politically and trans people in particular are being pulled to the forefront of our politics,” Krain said.

“The more dire that [it becomes], the more important it is for us to show up, because when the idea is to get our hopes down, to feel isolated, that’s when you need to show that kind of strength and community,” volunteer Tulaja Thigale said.

In the parade, Franklin County Pride volunteer Elizabeth Moore spotted young participants marching with their families.

“It’s not just some kid throwing extra clothes in their backpack and going to the parade and then putting it on — it’s mom, dad, kids showing acceptance,” Moore said as she greeted attendees at the entrance to the festival — an inflatable rainbow arch on Miles Street.

On her wrist, Moore sports tattoos of a rainbow flag and rainbow heart.

Leverett resident Kathryn Drake described the day as “accepting, loving and kind, with a sense of integrity” and “the diversity that is our superpower.”

“The energy is unapologetically Franklin County Pride,” Thigale said.

When asked to define “Pride,” Dean gestured to the crowd in Energy Park dancing in glitter fringe and rainbow tie dye to Brooklyn-based artist Rocky Snyda’s high-energy hip-hop.

“Joy as resistance is what [Pride’s] always been,” said Athol resident Anthony Redgrave, wearing checkered shorts, a colorful shirt and fuzzy cat ears.