The following is from North Jersey Pride:
North Jersey Pride, the nonprofit dedicated to promoting equality, acceptance, and respect for LGBTQ youth and families in New Jersey, returns to Memorial Park in Maplewood on Sunday, June 12 at noon with an outstanding lineup of national and local talent, featuring rising star singer/songwriter Parson James (“Stole the Show,” “Temple”); Samantha Marie Ware (Glee, Book of Mormon); and RANGE A Cappella (E! Live from the Red Carpet, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street). Scott Nevins, one of the breakout stars from Bravo’s The People’s Couch will emcee the day.
This just in: Sen. Cory Booker will be at the festival and will speak, and then present the Outstanding Ally Award to Sen. Loretta Weinberg, at 3 p.m. (see more information below).
North Jersey Pride Festival is a unique family-friendly event that brings together thousands of LGBTQ and straight allies from all over the Garden State to celebrate diversity and promote equality. Spread out on the lawn and listen to live music all afternoon, shop 150+ merchants, and visit the Five-Star Food Court for outstanding fare from the best of our local eateries. Your kids will be plenty busy in the Rainbow Kids Zone with inflatables, arts & crafts, games and live interactive stage with entertainment every hour on the hour.
The afternoon will also feature up-and-coming artists including the all-female blues rock band Jane Lee Hooker, phenomenal cover band Groove Street, 7-piece soulful rock band Sweet Little Bloodhound; the award-winning Paper Mill Show Choir; the much-loved Front & Center Showtime Choir; and much more!
There are a few volunteer opportunities still available so please feel free to sign up online.
“We are looking forward to our best year yet,” says executive director C.J. Prince, who said organizers expect more than 5,000 attendees at this year’s festival. “North Jersey Pride has become a time when LGBTQ individuals and families come together with their supportive allies to celebrate equality, diversity and community. It’s also a time when we reach out to LGBTQ youth to remind them that we have their backs and they are not alone.”
The festival is part of a month-long celebration of Pride events and activities. Read more here.
PNC Bank will be the 2016 Presenting Sponsor, and Atlantic Health will be supporting at the Premier level. “PNC’s support has been enthusiastic and unwavering since the very first year we began accepting sponsors. It’s clear from their support that they not only see the business case for supporting LGBTQ equality, but they believe it’s the right thing to do,” says Prince. “Atlantic Health has been a pioneer in providing specialized medical care to the LGBTQ community, and its commitment to North Jersey Pride really underscores their dedication to reaching out to our members. We are so grateful to all of our sponsors whose generous support makes this month possible.”
“At a time when it’s never been more important, the North Jersey Pride Festival is a terrific way to foster the sense of inclusiveness that is the building block of strong communities,” said Linda Bowden, New Jersey regional president, PNC Bank. “As a Presenting Sponsor of the festival for the fourth consecutive year, we can think of no better way to help bring people together than by supporting this family-friendly celebration of the diverse world where we live and work.”
Here’s the full music and food line-up:
Main Stage Entertainment
2pm Emcee Scott Nevins
12:15pm Sweet Little Bloodhound
1pm Paper Mill Playhouse Broadway Show Choir
1:30 Front & Center Performing Arts Choir
2:15pm Groove Street
3:15pm RANGE a cappella
4pm Parson James
4:45 Samantha Marie Ware
5:15pm Jane Lee Hooker
Kids Stage Showtimes
12pm Acceptance-themed storytime with Maplewood Memorial Library
1pm Martial arts demo with American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood
2pm Super demo dance class with Front & Center for the Performing Arts
3pm Awesome gym games with South Mountain YMCA
4pm Spectacular “Fire & Ice Show” with Mad Science
Five-Star Food Court
The Able Baker
Abril Cocina
Cedar Ridge Cafe
Freeman’s Fish Market
Lick’t Gelato
The Maplewood Grille
Roman Gourmet
St. James Gate Publick House
Sweet Bee Granola
Umberto’s
2016 Award Recipients
This year’s Outstanding Ally Award will be presented by Sen. Cory Booker at 3 p.m. to Sen. Loretta Weinberg, a proactive champion of equality, who has fought tirelessly for legislation to secure the rights of LGBTQ citizens in New Jersey. The 2016 NJP Appreciation Award will recognize the accomplishments of The Pride Network, which focuses on building youth leadership in the LGBTQ community, encouraging the next generation of activists to become active participants in the effort to secure full equality.
North Jersey Pride will also give out its second annual Youth Upstander Award and scholarship to Luciana Arbus-Scandiffio, a senior at Columbia High School who has volunteered with North Jersey Pride and been a featured speaker/panelist at NJP’s Stand UP Speak OUT school assemblies. Luci has also been an active member of COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere).
“By recognizing those who have made a difference in our community, we hope to inspire many more to get active on behalf of LGBTQ youth and families in New Jersey,” said Prince, adding that North Jersey Pride is actively seeking volunteers for this season as well as those who would like to become more involved in 2017.
