Pride events happening far and wide in Maine

There are more ways – and more places – to celebrate Pride Month in Maine this year.

While Portland and other Maine cities have long had Pride parades and festivals in June, Pride events have been popping up in smaller and more rural towns over the past few years, including Bucksport and Presque Isle. This year, there are more towns hosting Pride events for the first time, including Gorham and Bath.

The growth of Pride events in Maine is happening at time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack across the country, perhaps more than at any time in the years since a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision struck down state bans on same-sex marriage. Many states have proposed or passed legislation to restrict the rights of transgender individuals and other members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Gia Drew, executive director of EqualityMaine, told the Press Herald recently she was encouraged by the large number of Pride events planned in Maine this year, despite the hostility shown toward the LGBTQ+ community in so many places.

“This is local communities saying ‘We believe in equality.’ That is a really telling sign,” she said.

Even though Pride Month is half over – and many Maine towns and groups have already held a Pride celebration – there are still plenty of chances to catch a parade or party, starting this weekend.

Here are a few of the Pride events happening in Maine the rest of the month. You can also find dozens of Pride Month events listed on the calendars of the EqualityMaine and Out Maine websites.

People lined up to watch the Pride Portland Parade last year, after a three-year absence. Jill Brady/Staff Photographer

FRIDAY

Bath Pride will be the Midcoast city’s first Pride event and is scheduled for Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Waterfront Park on the Kennebec River and on streets around downtown. Activities include drag story time, a drag show, vendors and resource tables. The event is combining with the Bath Art Hop, which takes place on third Fridays in the summer, so there also will be local artists, open galleries and live music on sections of Front and Centre streets. For more information, go to @bathmainepride on Instagram.

The Maine Queer Film Festival will feature about nine short films focusing on “LGBTQ+ stories of joy, self-exploration, & community” beginning at noon Friday at the Maine Film Center on Main Street in Waterville. The free program runs about one hour and 40 minutes. The first half of the lineup is family-friendly, then after a pause there will be films for more mature audiences. For more information and to reserve tickets, go to watervillecreates.org.

SATURDAY

The Pride Portland parade and festival – regularly the state’s biggest Pride event – will be held Saturday. Last year’s event drew an estimated 14,000 people, according to organizers, after a two-year COVID-induced absence. The hourlong parade begins at 1 p.m. in Monument Square, follows Congress Street to Congress Square, then heads down High Street to Park Avenue and Deering Oaks park. That’s where the festival takes place, from 1-5 p.m.

More than 100 groups have registered to march in this year’s parade, and the cycling group Dykes on Bikes will lead the procession, as usual. At the free festival, there will be live music, drag performances and DJs, plus a beer garden, about a dozen food trucks, and booths for various organizations. For more information, go to prideportland.org.

People will likely be dancing in the streets again this year during the Pride Portland Parade on Saturday. Jill Brady/Staff Photographer

Rockland Pride events are scheduled throughout the day Saturday. There’s a sculpture race at 2 p.m. on Main Street, featuring “The Big Gay Ocean” puppet sculpture, where people are invited to dress like ocean creatures. There’s a Pride March beginning at Main and Winter streets at 3 p.m., and there will be refreshments and activities later at Steel House Basement. For more information, go to the Pride events calendar at outmaine.org or email midcoastgore@gmail.com.

Blue Hill Pride will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the First Congregational Church of Blue Hill. The event features free hot dogs and pulled pork, live music and activities for kids and teens. There’ll be a yoga session, crafts, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and opportunities to make your own rainbow wand or decorate a pair of glasses. For more information, go to the Pride events calendar at outmaine.org or email info@bluehillcongregational.org with pride in the subject line.

SUNDAY

Bucksport Pride will hold its third annual event on the Bucksport Waterfront from 1-6 p.m. There’ll be musical performances by Random Ideas, Myles Bullen and 5th Fret, plus pizza, vendors, resource tables and other festivities. For more information, go to Bucksport Pride on Facebook.

JUNE 22

Art in the Park: Rainbow Art is an event in downtown Waterville that will let you create your own version a rainbow. The event is from 3-5 p.m. at Castonguay Square and people will be able to make rainbows using paint, squeegees, cardboard and paper. The event is organized by Waterville Creates, Colby College Museum of Art and Waterville Public Library. For more information, go to watervillecreates.org.

There are Pride events all over Maine this month. Jill Brady/Staff Photographer

JUNE 24

Gorham Maine Pride will be that town’s first Pride event. It’s scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gorham Gazebo on South Street. There’ll be performances by Lavender Choir and Maine Marimba Ensemble, a drag story time and drag performances. There will also be face painting, food trucks, vendors, artisans and organizations. For more information and a specific schedule of events, go to gorhampride.org.

Bangor Pride will hold a parade and festival in West Market Square and Norumbega Park. The hourlong parade starts at 11 a.m., and the festival takes place from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, go to Bangor Pride Parade & Festival on Facebook.

Downeast Pride in Eastport will be held from noon to dark on June 24, featuring an art walk, music and drag performances, as well as a cash bar and a moonlight movie. If you happen to be in the area that weekend, you can follow up with a Downeast Pride celebration in nearby Lubec on June 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring more entertainment and a parade. For more information, go to downeastrainbowalliance.com/pride.