Guilford Pride Set To Hold 2nd Annual Event, Other Festivities

GUILFORD, CT — Following the success of last year's gathering which drew more than 2,000 attendees, Guilford Pride is gearing up to host its second annual event on May 18.

Ahead of the weekend's festivities, the town will raise the Pride flag and issue a proclamation on Friday.

On Saturday, the event will run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Guilford Town Green, 79 Whitfield St., and begin with remarks from elected officials and local LGBTQ youth.

There will also be a parade (all welcome to march), musical performances, a drag show and storytime, several food trucks, over 50 vendors and more throughout the day.

An after-party featuring a silent disco and sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Guilford is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., next to the church.

"Last year's event was so successful and I'm hoping we will have just as many people there, if not more, this year," Guilford Pride Committee Chair Sarah Celotto told Patch. "We've had a lot of support from First Selectman Matt Hoey and the town. I'm just very grateful to Guilford and the support we have behind this event."

Celotto said events like this are important not only for the LGBTQ community, but all residents.

"Right now, it's no surprise to everybody about the political environment we're in, and there's a tremendous amount of anti-LGBTQ laws that are being pushed... and all sorts of laws that are terrifying for our LGBTQ community," Celotto said. "It's so important for people in Guilford, residents in Guilford, who are part of that community, to feel safe here and that they feel the love and support of their community. It's so important for allies to show up and show that they're allies for this community."

Especially for LGBTQ youth, events like this are crucial, Celotto added.

"To them, these kinds of events are just a space they can completely be themselves and not worry about being judged, made fun of, bullied or harassed," she said. "There's just a big need for them."

A code of conduct for attendees can be viewed on the Guilford Pride website, as well as a full schedule for the May 18 event.

There is a rain date of May 19.