Dawn Richard will headline the fourth annual Springfield Pride Parade Weekend, scheduled for June 5 to 7 in downtown Springfield, organizers announced.
Richard, who first gained national attention on MTV’s Making the Band and later performed with Danity Kane and Dirty Money, will appear throughout the weekend’s events. She will be featured in a VIP meet and greet during the You Ball gala on Friday, June 6, and perform during the Pride Block Party the following day in Stearns Square.
The You Ball, a central fundraising event for the Springfield Pride Parade Organization, will take place at the MGM Springfield Aria Ballroom and is themed as a tribute to New York City’s Studio 54. Organizers said the event will reflect the famed nightclub’s embrace of individuality and celebration of community.
“This isn’t just a parade, this is about a movement, advocacy and joy,” said Taurean Bethea, executive director of the Springfield Pride Parade Organization. “Studio 54 was the ultimate symbol of freedom as a place where people could express themselves without judgment. With Dawn Richard as our headlining performer, the 2025 Springfield Pride will echo the spirit of pride and allow our community to come together and celebrate the brilliance and excellence of our diversity.”
The weekend will feature a full schedule of events, starting with a Pride flag raising on Thursday, June 5, at 10:30 a.m. and a youth panel discussion later that day, moderated by cultural strategist Kenneth Kyrell.
The parade itself begins Saturday, June 7, at noon from Springfield Technical Community College. Marchers will proceed down State Street and Main Street, ending at Stearns Square for the Block Party. The post-parade celebration will include live music, vendors, and activities for all ages.
Organizers said proceeds from the You Ball will help fund the group’s programs, including its Safe Space After-School Program and year-round LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
Sponsors for the 2025 Springfield Pride Weekend include the city’s Department of Health and Human Services, MassMutual, Baystate Health, MGM Springfield, Liberty Bank, TD Bank, and others.
More information is available at springfieldprideparade.org.
