Pride prep is in full swing

Planning is fully underway for the return of the annual Springfield Pride celebration.

Original Pride festivals started with a focus on demonstrations and protests in support of LGBTQ+ rights, says Kyle Scott, the board secretary for Equality Springfield and chairman of the group’s membership committee.

“Now, it’s more of a dual purpose,” Scott says. “It is still taking a stand for our rights, but it’s also taking a stand for our place in the community, a chance for allies and supporters to be around, and a place for people to celebrate being their most authentic selves.”

This year’s Pride celebration will once again take place on City Hall Plaza in Downtown Springfield. The event will be on Saturday, June 25, with a kick-off celebration on Friday, June 24 at a location to be announced soon, Scott says.

While volunteers to organize the major parts of the event are already in place, many on-site volunteers will be needed, Scott says. The event will need volunteers to help set up and tear down, as well as to run the beer tent, the info tent, the kids’ area, and to serve as floaters – helping here and there throughout the day.

“Springfield Pride is 100 percent funded by community labor and dollars,” Scott says. “That support is essential for Pride and all our other activities throughout the year. Without community backers and community volunteers, we would cease to exist.”

Equality Springfield is also seeking sponsors for this year’s Pride.

“We have four different sponsorship levels from $100 to $1,500,” Scott says.

Sponsorship levels and benefits can be found on the Equality Springfield website.

The organization has also opened vendor registration, which also can be found on the website. Vendor spots are open to both small and large businesses and organizations.

“We’re accepting anyone who wants to be a part of Pride and shares our goals and mission,” Scott says.

One vendor Scott says will be returning is the Clark County SPCA, which will be set up for on-site pet adoptions. There will also be drag entertainers and music, food trucks, and other fun entire families can enjoy.

Organizers also plan to bring back the kids’ area this year, as long as COVID-19 regulations at the time of the event allow it.

Additional details about the event will be shared on the Equality Springfield Facebook page and website as they become available.

“I think it’s always great when the community can show they’re multifaceted and inclusive, and Pride is an example of that,” Scott says. “It’s a great thing for people wanting to move to a community or for businesses wanting to come to a community to be able to see, and Pride is an example of that.”