Rhode Island Pride celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 20 as thousands gathered in downtown Providence for a day of performances, community, and celebration.

The event featured PrideFest with hundreds of community organizations, businesses, vendors, and performers, including headliners Adore Delano, Juicy Love Dion, and Paris Bennett, followed by Rhode Island Pride’s signature Illuminated Night Parade—one of the few Pride parades in the country to take place after dark.

Held under the theme “We Are the People,” this year’s event honored the activists who organized Rhode Island’s first Pride march in 1976 while recognizing the generations who continue to shape the state’s LGBTQ+ community today.

“Our founders understood something that remains true today: change happens when people show up,” said Rodney Davis, president of Rhode Island Pride. “Fifty years after that first march, more than 100,000 people stood together in downtown Providence to declare that we are still here, still visible, and still proud. ‘We Are The People’ is more than a theme—it is a recognition of every person who has contributed to this movement, from the pioneers who marched in 1976 to the young people who will shape the next 50 years.”

“This year demonstrated the incredible power of community,” added Jess Motyl-Szary, director of Rhode Island Pride. “Every volunteer, performer, sponsor, vendor, parade participant, and attendee helped create a space where people could feel welcomed, celebrated, and connected. The energy throughout the day and night was extraordinary, and it showed why Pride remains so important.”

Take a look at some of the most memorable moments from Rhode Island Pride’s 50th anniversary, courtesy of photographs from Ryan Welch, Kris Laliberte, Jordan Roberts, Kristen Beres, Brian Felsenthal, Leo Selvaggio, Willow Hicks, and Maxwell Snyder.

ARLINGTON — The Preservation Trust of Vermont has officially presented The Arlington Common and Nick Albert of Albert Construction with a 2026 Preservation Award at the annual Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference.

The Preservation Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the preservation and revitalization of Vermont’s historic buildings and community spaces. The Arlington Common was selected for its “exceptional impact on community gathering and historic stewardship.”

The success of The Arlington Common relies heavily on the dedication of local partners who brought the vision to life. Among the key honorees was Albert Construction, led by Nick Albert, whose exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to historic integrity were vital to the project’s completion.

“Preserving historic structures requires more than just standard construction; it demands a deep respect for original materials, architecture, and community legacy,” said Don Trachte, Head of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and Arlington Common Board Member. “Nick Albert and the team at Albert Construction went above and beyond to ensure that every detail honored the past while engineering a space that will serve Arlington for generations to come.”

A smoke scare on a Delta Airlines flight from Boston caused it to turn around.

The flight, with more than 250 people on board, was headed to Nice, France, when the pilots reported smoke in the cockpit.

As a precaution, the flight was treated as an emergency and was given priority once it returned to Logan Airport.

The plane landed safely and the passengers were reaccommodated.

(Copyright (c) 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)