Thousands expected to celebrate at Middletown PrideFEST

Middletown is preparing for a huge celebration Saturday as PrideFEST returns to downtown, bringing thousands of people together from across New England.

Downtown Middletown will be filled with music, food, vendors and plenty of Pride. Organizers expect thousands of people for what’s become Connecticut’s largest Pride event. They say it’s much more than a one-day celebration.

“Just being able to be themselves and bask in the joy of being present and fully alive in a community,” said Middletown Pride organizer Brianna Bloomskower.

Bloomskower has lived in the city for more than 30 years. She says PrideFEST is on the rise and even when downpours hit last year, people still showed up.

“We still had 30,000 people in that weather. I think that speaks to the success that folks want to be visible and surrounded by community and love,” she said.

She says the success of PrideFEST is a reflection of acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community and represents the growth of the city.

“Middletown is a place where you can move to. It’s established that it’s a place where you can open businesses, where you can bring your families, where you can raise your children, where you can bring your loved ones and you’ll be safe,” she said.

Eric Costa, the chief of police in Middletown, says they have been doing months and months of preparation for the festival.

“When I became chief, I came in with the idea of changing policing ideologies to better protect and be more inclusive of all members of our society,” he said.

The free festival runs on Main Street from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and includes a Pride march, a rally, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, food trucks and more.

“The Middletown Police Department will be here at the event, before and after, to ensure safety for everyone who comes to the festival,” the chief said.

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