Acton’s Recreation Department hosted its third annual Pride Festival at NARA Park on Saturday, June 21. Hundreds were in attendance on this bright and sunny day.
The Pride Festival has been a collaboration for the past two years between the towns of Acton and Westford. As a result, there are now many more booths and attendees than at the inaugural event in 2023. One attendee reported that a representative from the Town of Maynard is also hoping to connect with Acton’s Recreation Director, Melissa Settipani Rufo, so we’ll see if the festival will be a tri-town event next year!
Live music was provided on the amphitheater stage by The Femmes, an all-woman and non-binary band, and Open Door Theater reprised a few songs from their spring production of “The Prom!” Open Door Theater also had a booth set up, and advertised their upcoming events: the Ask Me Fair that will take place on Saturday, July 19 at Boxborough’s Sargent Memorial Library, and the 2026 season show, “Honk!”.
Both the Westford Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and Acton Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission hosted tables at the event. The faith communities were out in full force with booths from Acton Congregational, Congregation Beth Elohim, Unitarian First Parish of Stow and Acton, Church of the Good Shepherd, and UCC Boxborough. Other organizations included Indivisible Acton Area, League of Women Voters Acton Area, Out MetroWest, MA Department of Mental Health, Sweet Paws Rescue, Reach Athletics, and Great Wolf Lodge. Kimm Topping sold copies of their new book, “Generation Queer,” which highlights the stories of LGBTQ+ youth change-makers.
The libraries of both towns, JV Fletcher in Westford and Acton Libraries, offered library card registrations, information about programming, and great swag. The Town of Acton Health and Human Services Department also tabled and bubbled (see photo)! The Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Gay Straight Alliance, Common Ground, dressed in rainbows and had button making supplies at the ready.
LGBTQ+ families greatly appreciate the annual festival; some shared that it is wonderful to see themselves reflected and celebrated in a town-organized event. Rock painting, ribbon rings, and beading were just a few of the activities provided at the booths. Food trucks were also on site to quench thirst and appetites – empanadas, shaved ice, cotton candy, and more.
Alissa Nicol is a member of Acton’s Select Board, and writes about community events for the Acton Exchange.