BELFAST — An air of excitement and acceptance permeated the air as visitors and locals waited for Belfast’s first LGBTQ Pride Festival to kick of with a parade.

Starting at Waterfall Arts and winding its way through downtown to the Boathouse, the street was crowded with smiling faces and countless rainbow flags.

While both Portland and Bangor hold annual gay pride events each year, this is the first time such an event has been held in the Midcoast.

While the event’s GoFundMe page failed to make a dent in the fundraising goal, many local businesses stepped in as sponsors to the event. Some of those sponsors include AthenaHealth, Health Equity Alliance, The Green Store, Rollies, and many others.

In addition to those that sponsored the event, rainbow flags could be seen throughout downtown Belfast, popping up in and around countless storefronts.

After the parade arrived at the Boathouse, the opening ceremony kicked off. The first to speak were organizers Rachel Epperly and Makayla Reed, who were followed by local State Representative Erin Herbig. Belfast City Counselor Neal Harkness and Waldo County Commissioner  Betty Johnson. The ceremony closed with speeches from Pride Marshals, Lila Nation and Toussaint St. Negritude. 

There were plenty of ways for children and adults to entertain themselves, including face painting, dunking friends or family in the dunk tank, a bounce house, and the opportunity to participate in the creation of a memory quilt.

Celebrants were also treated to live music and a ukulele tutorial hosted by Frets Halligan. 

The festivities drew to a close with drag performances and an open mic from 3-5 pm. 

June is Lesbian, Gay, Transsexual, and Bisexual Pride Month, as established in honor of the 1969 Stonewall riots. While initially established as a single day, the movement soon came to encompass the month of June entirely, according to the Library of Congress. The reasons for the establishment of Pride month are many, including: 

“The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.” 

In a nationwide month dedicated to acceptance and education about and for the LGBTQ community, the city of Belfast has clearly declared that it is a city filled with Pride. 

See more photos here.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com