Franklin County Pride

Franklin County Pride is an all-volunteer group that holds an annual Pride parade and festival in downtown Greenfield. The first event, a march and rally in June 2017, was started by a small group of lesbian and queer women. The group also raises a Pride flag with the City of Greenfield and lists community Pride events across the county during June.

Franklin County Pride, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) run by a volunteer committee. Its mission is a community where LGBTQIA+ youth, adults and families can live safely and openly, free from discrimination based on race, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation, and it tries to be honest about whose voices are missing and to support groups doing work it does not. The first march and rally responded to the political climate after the 2016 election, drew on a smaller Greenfield Pride event from 2015, and brought out more than 400 marchers and 600 rally participants.

The parade steps off at noon from Sanderson and Federal streets, travels down Federal Street, turns right on Main Street and then left to Energy Park. About 1,000 people march with schools, businesses, government offices and community groups, and an estimated 2,500 watch from the sidewalks, with drummers, horn players and DJs along the way.

The free festival starts at 1 p.m. across Energy Park, the Pocket Park and Miles Street, which is closed to traffic. The Energy Park main stage features singers, bands, drag queens and dancers, with ASL interpreters signing throughout. Other attractions include vendors, food trucks, a free art activity with Artspace of Greenfield, a mime, a circus act and free face painting. Water is free at a station in the park, and parking is free in Greenfield on weekends, with the downtown garage recommended since there is no parking at Energy Park or on Miles Street.

Pride events celebrate LGBTQ+ people and mark the Stonewall uprising of June 1969. Most combine a parade or march with a festival of performers, community groups, vendors and food.

Franklin County Pride has included parade, festival, flag raising and community events.

Franklin County Pride was first held in 2017. Organizers reported over 400 marchers and 600 rally participants people in 2017.

The organizer has not announced dates for 2027 yet. In 2026 it was held June 13, 2026. It usually falls a Saturday in mid-June.