GREENFIELD — Singing parodies of popular Broadway songs at Energy Park, The Raging Grannies replaced lyrics about money and love with ones about acceptance of the LGBTQ community during the first performance at Saturday’s Franklin County Pride rally.
Hundreds flocked from across the county and beyond to celebrate Franklin County’s annual Pride parade and rally.
“It is great to see Greenfield coming out and showing their colors,” parade attendee Evan Dick said. “I am thinking about all the other places where people aren’t able to be out.”
A spirited parade from Greenfield Middle School down Federal Street and Main Street to Energy Park proceeded a rally featuring seven different performances.
Among the groups and organizations marching were Franklin County Technical School’s Sexuality and Gender Acceptance Club, Four Rivers Pride, Rainbow Elders and Mohawk Trail Equity Alliance.
Unicyclists rode down the street, brass bands played as they marched and line dancers holding small rainbow flags performed choreographed dances.
One performer at the event, Flight or Visibility — also known as Rafael Natan with backup from Nora Maynard — performed “queer classical punk music.”
“I am here because I believe in a better world,” they said. “I am here to build community, bring joy and be revolutionary.”
Hazel McMurry attended the parade with her parents, Aaron McMurry and Jay Weisberger.
“I like Pride because it is supporting people who are non-binary and transgender,” Hazel McMurry said.
Rolling through the parade was the Pioneer Valley Roller Derby team.
“The team has been a longstanding supporter of Pride parades in the area,” said Alex Kapitan, recruiting chair of the Pioneer Valley Roller Derby team. “We love the community and supporting all genders in the sport.”
Representatives of Real Pickles, a Greenfield-based worker cooperative specializing in fermented foods, marched in the parade, too.
“We came to see our community support Franklin County Pride,” explained Kate Hunter, a worker-owner with Real Pickles. “We are psyched that Real Pickles could be part of it.”
Franklin County Pride was canceled in 2020, and there was a much smaller event in 2021. This year was the first in three where the Pride festivities came back in full capacity.
“We try to never miss a Pride,” said attendee Peggy Firinne. “We were sad when they canceled Pride during the pandemic. We are so happy it’s back.”
Attendee Mia Scott wore a shirt that said “All of us” in rainbow letters.
“I came out to be here for people who can’t,” she said.
When asked what Pride means to him, attendee Zeke Shenk replied, “Pride means community.”
Contact Bella Levavi at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.