Along with the arrival of June comes the arrival of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, a time of celebration for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their family, friends and allies.
The city of New Rochelle will hold its Pride Festival on Saturday, June 7, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Anderson Plaza downtown.
This year’s Pride festival, like last year’s, is carnival-themed. Attendees can play carnival games, eat treats from food trucks, visit LGBTQ+ vendors, see performances and more.
“We’re going to have some informational vendors when it comes to LGBTQ concerns (and) LGBTQ services,” said Sam Gomez, who is the president of New Rochelle Pride, and director of diversity, equity and inclusion and LGBTQ community liaison for the city of New Rochelle.
“But we also want to make it an enjoyable day for families and kids and anyone that wants to come out and be part of Pride.”
Gomez, who helps organize the city’s Pride events, said that it’s particularly important to celebrate Pride with the current political climate.
“Being a child of immigrants and coming to a new place,” Gomez said, “I felt lucky that I was able to land in a place that was as welcoming as New Rochelle is.
“I think it is more important now than ever,” he added, “to celebrate and acknowledge our existence – that we’re here, that we’re not going to go away, that we’re not going to be quiet, and that we’re not going back into hiding.”
If you go to the New Rochelle LGBTQ+ Pride Festival
When: 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday, June 7 (Rain date: Saturday, June 14)
Where: Anderson Plaza, 20 Anderson St., New Rochelle
Getting there: Walking, biking or taking the BeeLine are recommended. Street parking downtown is limited. Paid parking is available in area garages, such as the New Roc Garage, located 31 Lecount Place, across the street from Anderson Plaza. Parking fees and other details are online at newrochelleny.gov.
For more information: Check out the Pride Festival’s event page online at newrochelleny.gov/Calendar.
Other Pride celebrations in New Rochelle
New Rochelle Public Library and Drag Story Hour Westchester are hosting the Pride-themed ‘Rainbow of Reading’ children’s story time for ages 3-8 and their families, also on Saturday, June 7.
Storytime will take place from 10 to 11 a.m., and it’ll include book readings, songs and a craft that celebrate inclusion, diversity and individuality, led by special guest Angel Elektra.
When: 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, June 7.
Where: Ossie Davis Theater/ Meeting Room at New Rochelle Public Library, 1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle.
To register your child and get more information: Check out the Rainbow of Reading event page online at newrochelle.librarycalendar.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New Rochelle to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with carnival-themed festival June 7
Reporting by Samantha Antrum, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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