Bloomfield PrideFest Returns, Diversity Banners Displayed In Town

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield PrideFest will return to the township for another year of supporting the LGBTQ community on Saturday, June 15.

This year’s event takes place from noon to 5 p.m. at Brookside Park on Broad Street in Bloomfield. (Learn more here)

According to event organizers, the festivities will include DJ music, free food and beverages, displays from local LGBTQ+ community groups, a “Gays-For-Strays” pet adoption, a Pride flag painting station and family-friendly games.

Street parking will be available.

BANNERS IN BLOOMFIELD

In addition to Pridefest, Bloomfield officials are showing support for Pride Month by hanging banners throughout the township.

The banners – which bear the township logo – read “Celebrate Diversity: Celebrate Pride,” and can be seen throughout Bloomfield Center and outside of Town Hall.

Councilwoman Wartyna Davis, a founding member of Bloomfield Pride, said that the local effort was inspired by other towns, which have celebrated Pride Month by raising rainbow flags or painting their crosswalks with the colors of the rainbow.

• See related article: Belleville Library Defends LGBT Pride Flag, 'Drag Queen' Event
• See related article: Hoboken Paints Rainbow Crosswalk For LGBTQ Pride Month
• See related article: Maplewood Paints Rainbow-Striped Crosswalks For LGBT Pride Month

“The members of Bloomfield Pride wanted to create a unique way for us to show our commitment to achieving full equality and acceptance and we think these beautiful banners hanging proudly throughout town will do that,” Davis said.

“My phone was buzzing with excited texts from fellow Bloomfield Pride organizers as the banners went up on Thursday,” said Mary Valentine, co-chair of Bloomfield Pride.

“This added visibility will hopefully bring more people out to Pride Fest,” Valentine said. “No matter what, it’s a clear display of Bloomfield’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, something we can all be proud of.”

Councilman Rich Rockwell, also a member of Bloomfield Pride, said that “representation matters.”

“That’s what these banners are giving LGBTQ+ people in Bloomfield,” Rockwell said. “The printing of these flags was paid for 100% by residents and businesses in the community, and I am thrilled that they are being displayed in our town.”

“I would like to salute the members of Bloomfield Pride for this great idea of creating beautiful banners celebrating love and inclusiveness,” Mayor Michael Venezia said. “I encourage residents to join us at PrideFest tomorrow and support Bloomfield Pride.”

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Bloomfield Facebook page here. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com