Montclair Pride Fest Update: Road Closures, 2024 Flag Raising Event

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A popular festival that provides support and solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community is returning to Montclair in 2024, and local authorities are planning to close some roads this weekend along the event route.

Out Montclair recently announced its headline performers and sponsors for Montclair Pride 2024, which will be celebrated with a week of events leading to a daylong festival on Saturday, June 8 in downtown Montclair.

The Montclair Pride festival will take over five blocks in the heart of downtown Montclair from noon to 6 p.m., followed by a street dance party from 6 to 9 p.m. and an after party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Learn more here.

Last year’s festival welcomed more than 26,500 attendees. And things are just getting ramped up, organizers said. Read More: Montclair Pride Festival Returning For 2024 (See Headliners)

According to Out Montclair, this year’s festival will include four stages showcasing a diverse lineup of performances, musicians, dancers, spoken word artists and some “big-name stars and Broadway legends.”

“Montclair Pride 2024 is shaping up to be our biggest, most vibrant celebration yet,” said Marie Cottrell, executive director of Out Montclair.

ROAD CLOSURES

The Montclair Police Department noted that several roads will be closed in the area on Saturday:

• Bloomfield Avenue will be closed between Valley Road and North Fullerton Avenue from 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. Claremont Avenue will serve as the primary detour for all east/west traffic off Bloomfield Avenue.
• North Fullerton Avenue will be closed to all through traffic between Claremont Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue
• South Fullerton Avenue will be closed to all through traffic from The Crescent to Bloomfield Avenue
• Church Street will be closed between Trinity Place and Bloomfield Avenue
• South Park Street will be closed from The Crescent to Bloomfield Avenue
• Park Street will be closed from Portland Place to Bloomfield Avenue
• Midland Avenue will be closed from Portland Place to Bloomfield Avenue

FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

Can’t wait for Saturday? Out Montclair and the Township of Montclair will host a public flag raising ceremony on Friday, June 7 at 5:30 p.m. in honor of Pride Month.

The Pride flag will be raised on the municipal flagpole at the intersection of Church Street and Bloomfield Avenue. The ceremony will feature the melodies of The Out Montclair/Union Cong Pride Choir, organizers said.

“Montclair proudly raises the Gay Pride flag as a symbol of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion,” outgoing mayor Sean Spiller said.

“We affirm our support for every individual's right to live openly and authentically,” Spiller continued. “This flag is a reminder that love is love. In Montclair, we firmly believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Together, we will continue to work towards a future where all people feel celebrated and valued for who they are.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page.