Dutchess County Pride Center Announces the Return of Poughkeepsie Pride 2026
The Dutchess County Pride Center truck, leading the 2025 Poughkeepsie Pride March in the City of Poughkeepsie
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - Dutchess County Pride Center (DCPC) is proud to officially announce the 2026 return of the Poughkeepsie Pride March & Festival, the Mid-Hudson Valley’s Largest Pride Celebration on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Centered around this year’s theme of “Reclaiming Joy, Reclaiming Power,” Poughkeepsie Pride 2026 will once again bring thousands of LGBTQ+ community members, allies, families, organizations, artists, and local businesses together for a day of celebration, visibility, advocacy, and connection throughout the City of Poughkeepsie.
The 8th Annual March & Festival kicks off on historic Market Street where the March of unity and community will head down Main Street to Victor C. Waryas Park. The Pride Festival will be in full swing in Waryas Park from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. The Festival will feature dozens of queer-owned businesses, local artists, creators, and food vendors, LGBTQ+ organizations, community resources, and family-friendly programming celebrating the diversity and resilience of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ community.
“Poughkeepsie Pride has become the defining celebration of love, visibility, and belonging in the Hudson Valley,” said Karen Marder, DCPC Executive Director. “As we launch our Pride 2026 season, we are excited to continue creating joyful and affirming spaces where LGBTQ+ people can gather openly, proudly, and safely.”
Dutchess County Pride Center volunteers at the 2025 Poughkeepsie Pride Festival, held at Victor C. Waryas Park
Poughkeepsie Pride is part of the broader Dutchess Pride Month celebration, featuring events and activities across Dutchess County throughout June. Dutchess Pride Month 2026 events include:
May 30th – Queer Families Festival at Pride in the Sky, which sees the World’s Longest Pride Flag make its way over the Walkway Over the Hudson. DCPC will be hosting the family-friendly festival here on the Poughkeepsie side. Pride in the Sky is hosted by Big Gay Hudson Valley
June 10th – Pride Night with the Hudson Valley Renegades. The defining baseball team of the Hudson Valley will be highlighting Dutchess County Pride Center and celebrating our community.
June 26th – Free Film Screening of the 1995 cult classic film The Incredibly True Story of Two Girls in Love, hosted by the Bardavon Theatre.
June 28th – Pride Fun Run 5K with Fleet Feet Poughkeepsie, an untimed fun run fundraiser for DCPC. All proceeds to benefit the Center and further Fleet Feet Poughkeepsie’s mission of running for all.
A full event schedule including Rainbow Crosswalk Painting, a film series with the Beacon Theater, as well as information, details, and ticket links is available online at www.poughkeepsiepride.org or www.dutchesspride.org/poughkeepsie-pride.
Founded in 2018, Dutchess County Pride Center serves the LGBTQ+ community of Greater Dutchess County through advocacy, education, support services, youth programming, and community engagement initiatives.
Volunteer Sign-Ups, Vendor Registration, Sponsorship opportunities, and additional festival announcements are available now through the official Poughkeepsie Pride website at: www.poughkeepsiepride.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jason Baker
Dutchess County Pride Center
jason.b@dutchesspridecenter.org
845-337-4100
The Poughkeepsie Pride Logo