| Jersey Pride | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Pride parade and festival |
| Date(s) | First Sunday in June |
| Location(s) | Asbury Park, New Jersey |
| Inaugurated | 1991 |
| Organized by | Jersey Pride, Inc. |
Jersey Pride is the state of New Jersey's annual gay pride parade, festival and rally. It is held on the first Sunday in June in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It is the largest and oldest pride celebration in the state.
The Jersey Pride parade originated in Asbury Park, where local businesses such as the Talking Bird Café and Sands Hotel played a role in fostering a sense of community for the gay population. [1] The café and hotel, managed by Ed Schau and his partner of 60 years, Carmen DiFilippantonio, were known as spaces where people of various ages and backgrounds could gather. [2]
In 1991, the city hosted its first pride parade, a short procession that passed by the Talking Bird Café and Sands Hotel. The event was a small tribute to the local LGBTQ+ community. With the return of the parade in 1992, Asbury Park became the site of the Jersey Pride Parade.
The Jersey Pride parade is always held on the first Sunday in June, starting promptly at 12:00 PM. The parade route spans approximately 1.25 miles and typically takes about 45 minutes to complete. [3] The parade begins at Asbury Park City Hall and proceeds south on Main Street. It turns left onto Cookman Avenue, left again onto Grand Avenue, and continues north on Grand to Sunset Avenue, where it ends at the festival grounds.
After the parade, the Jersey Pride Festival takes place on gated festival grounds between Sunset Lake and Convention Hall in Asbury Park, in Atlantic Square Park and Bradley Park (bordered by Ocean Ave to the east, Fifth Ave to the south, Webb St to the west and Sunset Ave to the north. [4]
A ticketed event (typically $10), the festival features live music and performances, with local and national LGBTQ+ musicians, drag performers, and other entertainers. Food and drink vendors, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, and merchants are present. [5] The event is designed to be family-friendly, with activities for children, such as face painting and crafts.