WORCESTER, MA. — Preparations are in full swing for this year’s Pride Worcester Festival, set to be the city’s biggest celebration yet.
Organizers say the downtown event will feature more than 250 vendors, a full lineup of performers and speakers, on-site health services, and a dedicated youth and family zone. This year’s festival carries added significance as Worcester marks the 50th anniversary of Pride.
“Over the 50 years of Pride in Worcester, we’ve come a long way. The first Pride was a march where participants had rocks thrown at them and slurs hurled,” said Festival Director Ariana DelloStritto. “This year’s festival is unfolding in a different, but still contentious, political climate. Although we’ve grown, there is still plenty of work to do.”
Pride Worcester holds its festival in September rather than June, DelloStritto explained, so that college students arriving for the fall semester can take part in the celebration.
The festival kicks off Saturday at 2 p.m. in downtown Worcester.
