Pride Month is here, and to celebrate, LGBTQ+ nature and adventure enthusiasts are invited to gather for a day of paddling on the Deerfield River. 

The ninth annual Pride Day on the River will be held on June 21, with festivities scheduled throughout the weekend, including the seventh annual community pride paddle, rafting and kayaking expeditions, and an after party at Zoar Outdoor, with performances from DJ Harsh Noise Boyfriend, and drag queen Bella Santarella.

“It’s a chance to celebrate Pride Month on the river. We’re all together, we’re all supportive of LGBTQ people and this is a good place to be,” said Founder Ann Gillard. “You’re finding new friends, enjoying the river together, getting refuge from all that’s going on in the world, and building your skills and building a sense of community with each other and with our natural world.”

Pride Day on the River began as a way for Gillard to create a safe space for herself and other LGBTQ+ people to build confidence and community in paddle sports. 

“I started kayaking 12 years ago and I looked around on the rivers and I could count on one hand the number of out LGBTQ people that I knew like paddling a lot. I know I like to do it in a place that feels safe and supportive and encouraging of all my identities,” Gillard said. “And with increasingly hostile legislation and social climate for LGBTQ+ people, it really made me think about safety in a broad way and thinking about the river as a place that I find refuge in.”

Gillard started gathering queer friends and community members for a casual celebration and paddle down the Deerfield River, which over the years has grown to be a larger event including paddling and rafting workshops, an after party, and of course still keeping the Pride Day paddle.

“After that first year people were like ‘oh are you going to do that again’ and that was really great, so started thinking how can I be more intentional now about inviting LGBTQ people to learn some of these skills,” Gillard said. 

She added that she also started leading an affinity group that meets about once a month during the summer months to paddle around the Fife section of the Deerfield River. The group calls themselves TGIF (Thank Gays It’s Fife). What started as just a few queers on the water has grown to be a whole group celebration. Last year’s event welcomed approximately 100 people. 

Gillard said the event’s growth has been made possible by its sponsors, who provide funding and some equipment. This year’s sponsors include Zoar Outdoor, American Whitewater, NRS, the American Canoe Association, L.L. Bean, Pyranha and the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation. 

This year’s festivities include the annual community paddle on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River, just off the Zoar Picnic Area on Zoar Road. Participants can arrive as early as 11 a.m., but the paddle will officially begin at noon and end at 4 p.m.

At 4:30 p.m. the after party at Zoar Outdoor will begin. Gillard said there will be a DJ, and drag queen performances, games, a silent auction and raffle, and plenty of food.

“We have an after party at Zoar Outdoor just as a way to bring everybody together and keep the good vibes going,” Gillard said. “We have a raffle and some prizes, and plenty of food. People wear rainbow leis and stickers and are really enthusiastic about it.”

Also throughout the weekend will be camping opportunities and additional rafting and kayaking expeditions.

On Sunday, June 22, an additional affinity paddle event will be held for more experienced river kayakers on the Dryway section of the Deerfield River. 

Gillard said attendees are encouraged to come dressed to celebrate, and wear pride themed costumes and flags. 

The festivities are free to attend, but donated “registration fees” will be accepted. All are invited to after party at Zoar Outdoor, but the community paddle is for experienced paddlers only. LGTBTQ+ people and allies must register and sign a waiver in advance of the event. 

For more information, or to register for the community paddle, visit pridedayontheriver.org

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.