West Hartford Pride

West Hartford Pride will provide the community with an afternoon of diversity, unity, and family fun that they can build upon and make a part of everyday life. As a Town of Compassion, West Hartford Pride will place focus on family and youth with activities designed to provide a safe space for individuals to come together in unity to celebrate and learn. This will be the first ever Pride festival in West Hartford with activities that will include music, a street fair, film and documentaries at Cinepolis Theaters, speakers on the stage and in the Noah Webster Public Library, an art show, and so much more! Businesses are welcomed to participate in the celebration with flags, banners, and special Pride themed specials.

West Hartford Pride has been organized by the West Hartford Pride Planning Committee, a grassroots group of diverse volunteers who are excited to see smiles on faces!

West Hartford Pride will take place on June 27th, 2020 (rain date: June 28th). At that time, months of planning will come together to bring an afternoon of activities! We hope to have a bulk of fundraising for this event completed by June 1st, 2020.

Barry Walters had planned small rallies and with the West Hartford Human Rights Commission presented a program about Stonewall at 50. The reaction to these events - particularly from youth - was incredible and demonstrated a need in the community. That need includes a sense of self, a sense of community, and feeling safe to live one's truth. Immediately following the Stonewall at 50 event which took place in June 2019, Barry met with town officials and Blue Back Square managment to start the planning for a bigger Pride event. As the idea of this event was shared, enthusiasm built and volunteers readily formed a committee to create a Pride that celebrated diversity and inclusion for the whole community. Particularly appealing was building an event that provided more activities and space for youth and families. The Planning Committee is excited to see this come to fruition with the help of community partners like the Town of West Hartford and Blue Back Square.