Buffalo Pride Announced 2024 Parade and Festival to be Held on Sunday, June 2

Buffalo Pride Week Rebrands to Buffalo Pride to Better Recognize Celebration, Featuring “Now’s the Time” Theme

BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo Pride organizers announced today the annual celebration, which includes the Pride Parade and Pride Festival, will be held on Sunday, June 2. The theme of Buffalo Pride 2024 is “Now’s the Time.” Now’s the time to act. To celebrate. To come together.

Buffalo Pride Week amended its name to Buffalo Pride to continue to recognize that Pride is celebrated throughout the month of June, and beyond. The new name encompasses everything the Buffalo community does to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and organizers will begin to incorporate the new brand, Buffalo Pride, into all promotional materials in 2024.

The annual celebration is hosted by Evergreen Health Foundation, an affiliate of Evergreen Health and presented by Evergreen Health and M&T Bank. Buffalo Pride’s mission is to uplift the LGBTQ+ community by raising awareness and providing access to diverse events that bring people together in the spirit of celebration, advocacy, and community engagement.

“The outpouring of support from the community during the Buffalo Pride Parade and Festival provides funding for vital resources and services the Pride Center of Western New York offers,” said Kelly Craig, MPA, executive director, Pride Center of Western New York. “We thank all our community partners who support our mission, and we look forward to both signature events to celebrate our peers. Now’s the time to celebrate what makes us all unique!”

M&T Bank Chief Diversity Officer Glenn Jackson said, “At M&T Bank, we’re on a mission to build a culture of belonging that extends far beyond the walls of our workplaces and out into our communities across Western New York. As we prepare for Buffalo Pride 2024, now is truly the time for us to deepen our commitment to ensuring Buffalo is an inclusive community that cherishes diversity and fights for equality. Standing together with the LGBTQ+ community, let’s keep pushing for progress with the urgency of this moment and celebrating our victories along the way.”

“Gathering as one each year for the Buffalo Pride Parade and Festival to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and to embrace our authentic selves creates connection to uplift one another while honoring obstacles overcome and providing opportunities for growth,” said Steve Jagord, director of advancement for Evergreen Health. “Rebranding to Buffalo Pride better recognizes the celebration throughout the city not only during the month of June, but year-round. Now’s the time to let your voice be heard!”

Beginning today, Buffalo Pride participants are welcome to:

• Register to participate in the Pride Parade.
• Sign up to volunteer for the Pride Parade and the Pride Festival.
• Submit events for the community calendar.

Buffalo Pride is a fundraiser for the Pride Center of Western New York. All profits of Buffalo Pride support the essential programs and services that the Pride Center provides to Western New York’s LGBTQ+ community, in addition to covering costs associated with the Parade’s insurance, security and supplies.

Organizations who wish to participate in this year’s Buffalo Pride Parade are required to donate according to their revenue:

• Non-profit, revenue under $500,000: entrance fee $50
• Non-profit, revenue over $500,000: entrance fee $100
• For profit, revenue under $500,000: entrance fee $150
• For profit, revenue over $500,000: entrance fee $250
• Single Marcher: FREE
• Buffalo Pride Sponsor (for members of sponsor organizations who want to march in parade): FREE

Parade registration closes Friday, May 10. No late exceptions. Vendor registration opens on Tuesday, April 2 and closes on Friday, May 24.

Pride Parade
The Pride Parade begins at the corner of Elmwood and Forest Avenue at 11 a.m. and continues south down Elmwood, concluding at Allen Street.

Pride Festival
Immediately following the parade, the Pride Festival will take place at Canalside and feature community organizations, family activities, food and beverage vendors, retail vendors, and live performances beginning at 1 p.m. Proceeds from the Parade and Festival support Buffalo Pride, in addition to the mission and programming of the Pride Center of Western New York, an affiliate of Evergreen Health.

A list of special guests and performers at the Festival will also be shared soon.

For more information, visit buffalopride.org.