(Additional photographs below.)
The streets in Haverhill’s downtown were filled with rainbows, drag queens and princesses, stars, glitter, flags, banners and lots of joyful noise Saturday when the Haverhill Pride Collective and its allies marched during the city’s Second Annual Pride Parade.
The city’s celebration of Pride Month began when the rag tag army of marchers dressed in all shades of the rainbow set off from GAR Park on Main Street, took a right on Merrimack Street and headed past Washington Square to Railroad Square. They were met with supporters who waved flags, honked horns and whistles and shouted supportive words all along the way.
Among them was Ivonne Preston and her husband J.P., who were waving a rainbow Pride flag and rainbow fan. Preston, of Haverhill, shared why she and her husband were in the crowd.
“It’s important because the world is such a crappy place right now, and showing that we are supporting people that are getting marginalized in such a crappy place gives hope,” she said.
Likewise, Jeffrey Landry said showing up went beyond the celebration of the day. A trustee of Hill View Montessori Public Charter School, Landry was marching as part of the school’s contingent.
“We value at our school the idea of inclusion for everyone. I think the idea of children struggling with identities and making sure that we’re creating an environment for them that is welcome. So, if they’re dealing with struggles, if they’re dealing problems, they know they’re are safe with us,” Landry said.
The parade sported two bands this year, Music In Action and The Party Band, thanks in part to the sponsorship of Trinity Pridestar EMS.
Contingents included Haverhill Public School’s Gateway Academy, Universalist Unitarian Church of Haverhill, Haverhill Indivisible, Haverhill City Democratic Committee, Groveland Democratic Committee, Recovery Café, The Artist’s Loft., Atkinson Congregational Church, Black Dog Theater Company, Bull Moose, Cosplay Crowd, Creatorpult, Family Services of the Merrimack Valley, Forte Swordplay, Mello and Wicked Axe.
Elected officials taking part were state Auditor Diana DiZoglio, state Sens. Barry R. Finegold and Pavel M. Payano, state Rep. Andy X. Vargas, Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, Haverhill City Council Vice President John A. Michitson, at large City Councilor Thomas J. Sullivan and Ward 3 Councilor Devan M. Ferreira.
The celebration continued well into the evening with food and resource vendors, activities for kids, a family-friendly block party and an adults-only after party.
Students, parents and friends of Hill View Montessori Public Charter School marched in Saturday’s second annual Haverhill Pride Parade through downtown Haverhill. (WHAV News photograph.)
JP and Ivonne Preston of Haverhill were among those cheering on the Second Annual Haverhill Pride Parade as it wound through downtown Haverhill. (WHAV News photograph.)