2025 Buffalo Pride Parade to Be Held on Sunday, June 1

BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo Pride will host the annual Buffalo Pride Parade on Sunday, June 1.

The theme of this year’s event is “High Visibility”, and Parade participants are encouraged to show up in can’t miss colors that are loud, proud and will stand out in a crowd. Stepping off at 11 a.m. from Elmwood and Forest Avenues, the Buffalo Pride Parade will travel south and end at Elmwood Avenue and Allen Street at 3 p.m.

The annual Buffalo Pride Parade is organized by Evergreen Health Foundation, an affiliate of Evergreen Health, and is presented by Evergreen Health and M&T Bank.

New for 2025, the Buffalo Pride Parade will feature a grandstand at Jack Rabbit’s outdoor patio with local judges who will recognize five of the most creative and on-message groups with awards. This year’s award categories include:

• Werk of Art: to be awarded to the most artistic group;
• Queen City Realness: to be awarded to the group that best demonstrates their love for Buffalo;
• Ate, No Crumbs: to be awarded to the most fashionable group;
• Period.: to be awarded to the group conveying the most powerful message; and
• Iconic behavior: to be awarded to the group with the best overall presentation.

“The Buffalo Pride Parade is a great celebration of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Western New York, and Evergreen stands committed to making sure that continues. We’re proud to once again present and sponsor the annual event,” said Justin Azzarella, chief administrative officer, Evergreen Health. “As we focus our efforts on delivering critical healthcare services to the region’s LGBTQIA2S+ community, we thank our community partners and grassroots organizations for supporting the evolution of Pride celebrations.”

“I can’t wait to be a part of the panel of judges and experience the Buffalo Pride Parade from the grandstand at Jack Rabbit alongside our great community partners,” said Rahsaan DeLain, vice president of corporate culture, Evergreen Health.

M&T Bank Head of Engagement and Belonging Glenn Jackson, added, “Our success is rooted in a culture where every individual feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to show up as their true, authentic self. For 169 years, we have demonstrated this commitment through meaningful action – fostering engagement, belonging, and opportunity at every level of the bank. As a Presenting Sponsor of the Buffalo Pride Prade, we are proud to celebrate the unique voices that make Buffalo so strong and be part of a community where every perspective is cherished, and every individual can thrive.”

Buffalo Pride’s mission is to uplift the LGBTQIA2S+ community by raising awareness and providing access to events that bring people together in the spirit of celebration and community engagement.

All profits of the Buffalo Pride Parade support the essential healthcare programs and services that Evergreen Health and its affiliates provide to Western New York’s LGBTQIA2S+ community, in addition to covering costs associated with the Parade’s insurance, security and supplies.

For more information on the Buffalo Pride Parade or other upcoming community-led events, visit https://buffalopride.org/. To view the Buffalo Pride Parade livestream, tune into the official TV sponsor WKBW Channel 7 News.