SPRINGFIELD – PrideFest is around the corner in the capital city.
The festival boasts a parade, live performances like drag performers and musical numbers and vendors. There is also a children’s area.
The State Journal-Register spoke with Teresa Silva, who is executive director of the Phoenix Center, about PrideFest, and what’s new for the festival that began in Springfield in 2011.
When is it?
Both PrideFest and the parade are set for Saturday, May 16.
Where is PrideFest?
PrideFest will be held on the Y-block this year.
When, where the parade steps off
The parade kicks off the day at 11:30 a.m., starting from the corner of Fifth and Allen, and marching to the festival’s main stage.
There are typically around 50 entries, Silva said.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Bond County Pride, which is a Pride organization located in that county. Members of its committee will represent the organization.
Bond County Pride planned a pride fest in 2025 but halted due to pushback and even death-threats, Silva said. The group then held a fest in April of this year, which Silva commended as brave and resilient.
“Their amazing queer representation and resilience and all of that – and bravery, right?,” Silva said. “Because that still takes a lot of guts to say, ‘ok, well you threatened our lives last year and we’re going to come back this year and we’re going to put it…right on the town square.”
The public this year nominated candidates for the Grand Marshal for the first time.
Main Stage entertainment
A ribbon-cutting for the event will be held at noon, followed by live entertainment on the main stage.
Other entertainment and activities
Upwards of 130 vendors will be at the fest, such as community resources, state agencies, and merchants.
The whole festival is meant to be family-friendly, though there will be a robust children’s area as well. The theme for the children’s area is “Summer Camp.”
Hope will host a sensory tent that will be quieter, darker, and cooler.
Before and after parties are scheduled.
Food
Planning to grab a bite?
All the favorite vendors that have typically been at PrideFest will be present, Silva said.
Is Phoenix Center the main organizer?
While Phoenix Center first launched the event 15 years ago, it has become very community-led, Silva said.
The committee is comprised of 22 volunteers. There are Phoenix Center employees on the committee, but no one is paid for their time on the committee.
Pride month is in June, but there are PrideFests throughout the year in Illinois. Springfield’s PrideFest originally landed on Harvey Milk’s birthday
Black Pride
A Black Pride organization is in its beginning stages. Representatives will be present to engaged with the public.
A community discussion will be held on May 19 from 6 to 7 p.m., at 1908 Innovation & Coworking Center at 1100 S. Grand Ave E. People will be able to ask questions about Black Pride, brainstorm, and see who wants to get involved.
A show is being held at Dumb Records at 7 p.m. on May 16 to raise initial funds for the group. Ricki Marvel, who is on Black Pride’s committee, will perform with hardcore punk scene musicians. Entry costs $10.
“This is a cause that I really believe in,” Marvel told the SJ-R. “I really think Springfield needs a space to celebrate Black and Brown people, specifically.”
Marvel is a trans woman of color, she noted.
Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Everything to know about this year’s PrideFest in Springfield
Reporting by Tom Ackerman, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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