Who Is Hampshire Pride? 

Hampshire Pride is a grassroots organization that formed in 2023.
Pride has always been an important part of the fabric of Northampton, and western Massachusetts in general. 
After not having an event since pre-pandemic, Clay Pearson, along with Celina Almendarez and Kayla Abney felt the calling to bring Pride back to Hampshire County. 
With only nine weeks to plan, no prior experience in putting on an event like this, and $0 to start, they brought in several other members and all worked non-stop around the clock to make the event happen on the traditional first weekend of May that started in 1982 (the first pride outside of NYC!) as a response to Stonewall. 
The hard work and dedication of all involved certainly paid off as Hampshire Pride 2023 went off with a huge success, estimating around 15,000+ attendees. 

We are back again this year for Hampshire Pride 2024 and can't wait to celebrate again with you all!

Hampshire Pride is committed to creating a space where people of all genders, gender expressions, sexual orientations, races, and ages can come together in a day of joy.

PRIDE COMMITTEE

Clay Pearson (he/she/they)
Pride Director & Vendor Coordinator

I came out in 2008 as I made the move to the pioneer valley. I made to move for UMass but stayed for the queer community. 2009 was my first pride in Northampton, and I made and fostered so many relationships there and moving forward. I’ve done drag and night life event planning in the area ever since. Once I saw the need for Pride to be revitalized in my community I founded Hampshire Pride. This year I’ll be both Hampshire Pride’s Director of Pride and Vendor Manager. I can’t wait to build the festival grounds up and fill it with great local businesses and nonprofits organizations to showcase what our community is really made of.
It is my pleasure to develop the Pride committee and build Hampshire Pride in to the best Pride possible to kick off the Pride season in New England. If you see me, strutting around Main Street Northampton in a suit and stilettos come up and asked me about Hampshire Pride!

Kayla Abney (she/her)
Parade Manager

This is my second year on the Hampshire Pride committee. Last year, I was the Vendor Coordinator where I assisted in organizing the festival area and vendor tents. Planning special events and parties is something I am very passionate about as the co-owner and operator of The Majestic Saloon. I am so grateful to be included in helping run this important event alongside the other pillars of our queer community. This year, my focus will be on the Hampshire Pride Parade. I am very excited to connect with local businesses, schools, and local organizations to make the Parade a fabulous kick-off to May 4th! See you out there, loud and proud!

Alden Peotter (he/him)
Parade Coordinator

I’ve been involved in the local queer community across Hampshire County for the past three years but have lived here my whole life. Although most people recognize me from my role at the Majestic Saloon, I’ve worked in Northampton for more than five years and quickly fell in love with the vibrancy of this community. It is my absolute honor to contribute to such an important event and to see the county flourish this upcoming pride season. This year, I will be Hampshire Pride’s Parade Coordinator. I’ll be working alongside Kayla Abney in her role as Parade Manager. After confirmation of the participant's involvement in the parade, I will assist in coordinating the parade layout, rules, and volunteer assistance that we will require on parade day.

Celina Almendarez (she/her)
Marketing Manager, Social Media, Website Admin

As someone who grew up in an environment where it wasn’t safe to be open as a queer person, this local community means so much to me. I understand how special it is to be able to gather together in celebration of ourselves and each other, and it felt so important to me to help bring Pride back to Northampton. Last year was actually my first Pride event I’ve ever attended and it was an incredible honor to be one of the people who helped put it on!
I’m so excited to be back again this year with Hampshire Pride as the marketing and social media manager as well as the website administrator. I look forward to connecting with you all and to seeing everyone in person on May 4th!

Harry Scruff (he/they)
Co-Drag Coordinator

I moved back to Western Mass in 2021 after experiencing a true sense of queer community for the first time. Growing up in the South, I didn’t have access to the variety of opportunities to connect with other members of the LGBTQIA+ community found in the Pioneer Valley, and I am passionate about preserving and expanding those spaces. I joined the Come Again Players, a local Rocky Horror shadow cast, and now serve as the Assistant Director. I have been doing drag for the past three years and have been active in the Western Mass drag scene for two. I got my start at The Majestic Saloon and now host a monthly open stage there for new performers! I performed at Hampshire Pride last year and am excited to help organize this year’s drag show along with Magnolia Masquerade!

Andrew Curran (he/him) as Magnolia Masquerade (she/her)
Co-Drag Coordinator

Well, bonsoir, bonsoir, bonsoir!
In the last two years, I’ve written and hosted monthly drag productions at the Marigold Theater in Easthampton. The show is called the Muses of the Marigold Theater, starring myself, Andrew Curran, as Magnolia Masquerade. Why “Muses”? Because what is drag if not the ultimate muse? This year, I am the co-coordinator for the drag production featured during Hampshire Pride!
This is my first time as a committee member for something this large, but I trust my ability to do my part as that’s how I started with my drag show as well. It’s an honor to be a part of this, because the city I grew up in didn’t have the community that I’ve found here and I’ve been treated so kindly by it! So, I’m looking forward to planning and putting on a big ole party for you all during Hampshire Pride alongside Harry Scruff!
Xoxo Magnolia Masquerade <3

Mel English (they/them)
Volunteer Coordinator

I’ve lived in The Valley for just about 6 years now, and this is where my very queer heart is. For the past 4 years I’ve facilitating monthly queer community connections, such as Western MA Queer Happy Hours through Meetup.com and Queer Climbing Nights at Central Rock in Hadley; I love to collaborate with others to create spaces where folks can feel safe being the amazing LGBTQI+ selves they are! I currently work at MENTOR National, as the Director of National Mentoring Resource Center TA, which provides no-cost quality research to practice support to youth mentoring programs across the nation. This year I will be the Volunteer Coordinator, and like some others on our team, it’ll be my first time on the Hampshire Pride Committee! I can’t wait to connect and work with the community to recruit a robust cadre of volunteers across The Valley that will help make this year’s Pride the very best yet!

Zach Julius (he/him)
Fundraising Coordinator

Originally from a small town in Connecticut, I first visited the Valley back in 2018 when I started dating my now husband. Noho Pride in 2019 was the first that I attended, and I felt so fortunate to finally be a part of one! We currently live in Amherst with our 2 dogs and nearly 2 year old son, who are simply the best! I've worked for a few years now in Alumni Relations at Smith College, where my main skills involve gift processing and data integrity. This year I will be the Fundraising Coordinator, and it's also my first year on the Pride Committee, officially! I'll be connecting with a large variety of local businesses and many other groups who want to be a part of Hampshire Pride, and I can't wait with helping to bring our community together with this amazing event!