Saratoga Pride to host annual festival
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» For a fifth consecutive year, Saratoga Pride will host its pride festival at High Rock Park Friday night. The event, which features speeches from elected officials, like Mayor Meg Kelly, a group photo and material information booths from various community organizations, recognizes June as the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in Greenwich Village 49 years ago.
“It’s increasing visibility and diversity in our Saratoga and surrounding communities. People come to this event from Hudson Falls, Glens Falls, Schuylerville, Stillwater, Ballston Spa, a lot of Saratoga County communities,” said Saratoga Pride volunteer Cindy Swadba. “It’s a time for us to be festive and the annual pride events happen in June.”
The event begins at 5:30 and features live music from Rich Clements Band. Those gathered, following a group photo, will stroll down Broadway, stopping briefly at Northshire Books for a picture. The bookstore has had LGBTQ books in their windows all week.
The celebration continues at Bailey’s on Phila Street at 7 p.m.. Charles Busch at the Orchard Project will be playing at 8 p.m. at Putnam Place. Tickets for the concert at Putnam Place can be found on Saratoga Pride’s Facebook or SaratogaPride.com.
Swadba has been involved
with Saratoga Pride since its inception about 15 years ago. She served as one of the first originators and organizers.
In addition to Friday night’s Saratoga Pride Festival, Saratoga Pride invites all interested to visit Yaddo Gardens Sunday, beginning at 4 p.m., for a garden tour and ghost tour.
Saratoga Pride is a network of LGBTQ community members dedicated to fostering connections among Saratoga area LGBTQ community members and visitors, enhancing the visibility of the LGBTQ community in Saratoga and the surrounding region, recognizing local businesses and organizations that welcome the LGBTQ community and increasing awareness of LGBTQ-owned and inclusive businesses and services in the region.
For more information about pride month activities, visit www.saratogapride.com.