Pride Month festivals, flag raisings, more: Celebrate first weeks in Lower Hudson Valley
June is here, which means Pride Month is, too. Tons of events are planned across Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride this year. From festivals and flag raisings to parking lot parties and listening parties, here are some community events celebrating Pride in the Lower Hudson Valley:
5th annual Putnam Pride in Carmel
Angel Elektra and Shay D'Pines will host and emcee Putnam County's 5th annual Pride, which will begin at Gilead Presbyterian Church for a lineup of local speakers before moving to Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park for music, dancing, Drag Story Time, vendors, food trucks and family activities. This year's festival will focus on "trans visibility and counteracting the rising tide of hate, especially against trans youth," according to the event's website.
When: 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 1.
Where: Speakers will gather at Gilead Presbyterian Church, 9 Church St., Carmel. Celebration will take place at Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park, 201 Gypsy Trail Road, Carmel.
For more information: Check out the Putnam Pride website.
Westchester Pride in White Plains
Drag performer and TV star Peppermint is set to appear at Westchester Pride 2024, an afternoon street festival on Court Street between Martine and Main, plus the Renaissance Plaza. Activities will include a flag raising ceremony, pet parade and the "Family Zone" for children, according to the festival's website. The fun will continue with an after-party happening nearby from 6 to 9 p.m.
When: Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 2.
Where: Court Street between Martine Avenue and Main Street, White Plains.
For more information: Check out The LOFT: LGBTQ+ Community Center's website.
Color Run 5K Road Race & Fun Run in Pound Ridge
Hosted by the Pound Ridge Partnership in collaboration with the Human Rights Advisory Committee, the Color Run in Pound Ridge is a celebration of Pride "with a splash of Holi-inspired color," according to the event's website. Walkers and runners alike are invited to participate in this celebration of LGBTQ+ pride. Ticket prices range from $25 per registrant (plus $3.86 sign up fee) for the Fun Run to $30 for registrant (plus $3.56 sign up fee) for the 5K Road Race.
When: 9 to 10:15 a.m., Sunday, June 2.
Where: Pound Ridge Elementary School, 7 Pound Ridge Road, Pound Ridge.
For more information: Check out the Pound Ridge Color Run's website.
2nd annual Pride and Trans flag raising in Spring Valley
The Pride Center of Rockland County team and local elected officials will gather for a Pride and Trans flag raising at Spring Valley Village Hall. It's the second year for the event. All are welcome.
When: 5 p.m. Monday, June 3.
Where: 200 N. Main St., Spring Valley.
For more information: Check out the event's web page.
Annual Pride and Trans flag raising in Haverstraw village
Join the Rockland County Pride Center team and local elected officials for the annual Pride and Trans flag raising in Haverstraw Village.
When: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 4.
Where: 40 New Main St., Haverstraw.
For more information: Check out the event's web page.
LGBTQ+ Music Listening Library Opening Night in Ossining
The Ossining LGBTQ+ Alliance and Hudson Valley Queer Collective are putting together their interactive LGBTQ+ Listening Library at Bethany Arts Community, which will feature queer musicians through vinyl records, CDs and cassettes. The Listening Library will hold an opening night celebration on Wednesday, June 5, but the library will be available from June 1 through July 31.
The library is also looking for donations of vinyl, cassettes, or CDs featuring LGBTQ+ artists. Reach out to [email protected] to donate.
When: The Opening Night Celebration begins at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 5.
Where: Bethany Arts Community, 40 Somerstown Road, Ossining.
For more information: Contact the Ossining LGBTQ+ Alliance at [email protected].
Pride Parking Lot Party and 'But I'm a Cheerleader' screening in Pleasantville
The Jacob Burns Film Center is hosting a Pride party in its Media Arts Lab parking lot. The event will include food trucks, bar and a DJ. After the Parking Lot Party, the Center will be showing the film "But I'm a Cheerleader," introduced by Chris Holliday, the Pride series curator at Jacob Burns. Tickets for the screening are $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers and include free entry to the Parking Lot Party.
When: Parking Lot Party begins at 5 p.m., Thursday, June 6. "But I'm a Cheerleader" screening begins at 7 p.m.
Where: Jacob Burns Film Center Media Arts Lab, 405 Manville Road, Pleasantville.
For more information: Check out the Jacob Burns Film Center's website.
Flag raising and Festival in Yonkers
Join Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and members of the Yonkers LGBTQ+ Advisory Board for a flag raising ceremony at City Hall Unity Fountain. The celebration continues that evening with a Pride Kick-Off Party in downtown Yonkers and the next day with Yonkers' 7th Annual Pride Festival, where Xunami Muse from "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 16 will be headlining.
When: Flag raising will take place 4:30 to 5 p.m., Friday, June 7. Festival will take place 1 to 7 p.m., Saturday June 8.
Where: Flag raising will be at Yonkers City Hall Unity Fountain, 40 South Broadway, Yonkers. Festival will be in downtown Yonkers at 66 Main St.
For more information: Check out the Yonkers Pride website.
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Friday Night Pride in Hastings-on-Hudson
The Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, Destination Hastings and Hastings Rainbow Families are hosting their third annual Friday Night Pride, a family-friendly event focused on "celebrating and strengthening Hastings as a community of love and equity," according to the event's flyer. Activities include making banners at the Good Witch Coffee Bar, a march led by the Brass Queens, plus musician and dancer performances, face-painting and much more.
This event is rain or shine. The rain location will be the Cochran gym at Hastings High School.
When: 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, June 7.
Where: The festival takes place on Warburton Avenue. Pre-event begins at 5:45 p.m. at the Good Witch Coffee Bar, 134 Southside Ave, Hastings-On-Hudson.
For more information: Check out the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson website.
Festival and Downtown Summer Sizzle Concert in New Rochelle
The city of New Rochelle will hold its Pride festival for the second year. Activities will include live music, carnival games, food vendors and booths from community organizations like the Westchester County Human Rights Commission, New Rochelle Pride, Center Lane and The Loft LBGTQ+ Community Center.
Following the festival will be Pride Day for New Rochelle's Downtown Summer Sizzle concert series, which will feature a tribute to Elton John by Philadelphia Freedom as the headliner.
When: Festival will take place from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 8. Downtown Summer Sizzle concert to follow at 6 p.m.
Where: Festival will be from Ruby Dee Park to Lawton Street, New Rochelle. Concert will be at Ruby Dee Park, 1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle.
For more information: Check out the city of New Rochelle website or the Downtown Summer Sizzle concert series website.
Rockland Pride Sunday in Nyack
The family-friendly Rockland Pride Sunday celebration marks its 25th year. More than 90 vendors will fill downtown Nyack along Main and Broadway. There will be performances by David Budway and special guests, plus local drag artist performances, outdoor dining, shopping and more.
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 9.
Where: The parade kicks off at 11:30 a.m. at Memorial Park, travels up Hudson Avenue, along South Broadway and up Main to Hezekiah Easter Veterans Memorial Park. Rally to follow. Activities will also be in and around the Nyack Center at South Broadway and Depew.
For more information: Check out the Rockland Pride Center's website.
Black Pride block party in Nyack
The Pride Center of Rockland County in partnership with the NAACP Nyack branch will hold their 4th Annual Black LGBTQ+ Pride community block party. Activities will include a DJ, cookout and community art project. There will also be a BIPOC book swap.
This event is free to attend. Food and beverage will be offered to the first 100 attendees, according to the event's web page.
When: 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 13.
Where: Hezekiah Easter Veterans Memorial Square at Main and Cedar streets, Nyack.
For more information: Check out the event's web page.
Pride Outside: Sunset Hike in Pleasantville
The Rockefeller State Park Preserve and OUTWalking, an outdoor hiking and walking group serving the LGBTQ+ community, is celebrating Pride by hitting the trails. This hike will include views of the sunset over the Hudson and the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
Registration and a waiver are required to attend. Leashed dogs are welcome. The hike would be canceled for inclement weather, according to the event's web page.
When: 7:15 to 8:45 p.m., Thursday, June 13.
Where: Rockwood Hall, Phelps Way, Pleasantville.
For more information: Check out the Pride Outside registration page.
These are not the only Pride events in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam; a second list of events happening in the second half of June will be added in the coming weeks. Reach out to Samantha Antrum at [email protected] if interested in sharing a Pride event happening in your area.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Pride Month celebrations in Lower Hudson Valley, NY