Throwing Axes and Building Bridges: What You Missed at Random Axe of Kindness 2026
Drag performance artist Chanel Thee Angel at Random Axe of Kindness 2026
If you walked into Wicked Axe New England on South Main Street a few Saturdays ago, you would have immediately caught a vibe that felt entirely new for Haverhill. The music was pumping, the energy was high, and everywhere you looked, neighbors were laughing over board games, cheering on local drag legends, and trying their hand at blacklight axe throwing.
When we planned Random Axe of Kindness as our major spring fundraiser, we hoped people would show up. But walking into a room packed with 150+ queer residents and allies felt like watching a community actively plant its roots.
For a long time, living in the Merrimack Valley meant traveling into Boston or Salem to find dedicated queer spaces. This community proves that we don’t have to travel anymore. The community is right here, it’s growing, and it is incredibly welcoming.
What the Night Actually Felt Like (According to You)
We want these events to be genuinely fun, not just a standard charity obligation, so we asked attendees what stood out to them. The feedback was overwhelming: 90% of surveyed guests rated their experience a 4 or 5 out of 5 and every single person who took our survey agreed that the night made them feel more connected to Haverhill’s LGBTQIA+ community.
For a lot of people, it was a chance to introduce loved ones to their city. As one attendee shared:
"It was so fun! I brought my two adult children so they could get better connected to their new community. They recently moved to Haverhill."
Another guest loved how easy it was to just hang out:
"Great tables, great performers, fun music, photobooth was cute and dancing was fun... It was very well organized and everyone was really friendly."
For 75% of you, the absolute highlight was the drag performances hosted by Haverhill’s own Madam Zapple, closely followed by DJ PJ’s late-night dance set that kept the floor moving until midnight. Whether you bought a VIP ticket for a front-row seat or grabbed General Admission to mingle by the game tables, the room felt safe, joyful, and like your new bestie might be standing right next to you.
$6,588 Closer to the Parade
Because of your radical generosity through ticket sales, merch grabs, and a packed raffle run by our friends at Creative Haverhill, we raised a grand total of $6,588!
If you're wondering where that money goes, it directly funds the upcoming Second Annual Haverhill Pride Parade and Celebration on June 20th. Street permits, staging, festival insurance, and keeping our events free and accessible to the public all are made possible because of local donations and partnerships, powered by our hardworking volunteers. By showing up to throw an axe and tip a performer, you directly contribute to Haverhill’s biggest summer festival.
A massive thank you to the staff at Wicked Axe for being incredible hosts, our local nonprofit partners, and every single person who brought their energy to the room.
Haverhill Pride volunteers selling merch at Random Axe of Kindness 2026
Your Invitation to Keep Growing With Us
If you missed this one, don't worry—this community is just getting started, and there is a seat at the table with your name on it.
With June right around the corner, we have a massive lineup of events designed to give you more opportunities to meet new friends, support local makers, and celebrate who you are:
Saturday, May 30 @ 2:00 PM: Queer Stories with Author Sarah Prager at the City Hall Auditorium. Come hear fascinating, untold LGBTQ+ history and see a display of stories submitted by our own Haverhill neighbors.
Saturday, May 30 @ 7:00 PM: New Queers Eve Pride Gayla at Barewolf Brewing. We are teaming up with Queers and Beers to ring in Pride Month early. Come dressed to impress for a fabulous night of community, craft brews, and celebration to kick off the season.
Thursday, June 4 @ 4:00 PM: Our Annual Pride Flag Raising at Winnekenni Castle, followed immediately by a community social hour at Roma Restaurant at 5:00 PM.
Tuesday, June 9 @ 6:00 PM: Our Monthly Community Meetup at Barrio. Come find us at the bar, grab a taco or a drink, and get to know Haverhill's local queer community.
Thursday, June 18 @ 11:00 AM: Youth Bracelet Making at Creative Haverhill. Make some new friends and customize your very own pride bracelet. Geared toward younger children and their families
Thursday, June 18 @ 3:00 PM: Youth Bracelet Making at Creative Haverhill. Make some new friends and customize your very own pride bracelet. Geared toward older children and their families
SATURDAY, JUNE 20 @ 12:30 PM: ⭐ The 2nd Annual Haverhill Pride Parade & Celebration ⭐ This is the big one. Join us downtown for the parade, followed by the Washington Street Block Party, Makers Market, Resource Fair, Drag Festival, Food Trucks, and True North Ale Beer Garden.
Want to get involved? We are still actively looking for volunteers to help us run the festival, as well as local artisans for the Makers Market and nonprofits for the Resource Fair. Applications are open on our website through June 1st!
🔗 Click here to check out the full June calendar, sign up to volunteer, or apply to table at the festival.
We’re building a beautiful, vibrant community right here in our backyard. Come be a part of it! 🏳️🌈✨