Long Island Pride Coming To Farmingdale

FARMINGDALE, NY — The annual Long Island Pride parade, concert, and festival is scheduled for Sunday in Farmingdale Village — the village's first time hosting the event — the LGBT Network announced in a news release.

The Long Island Pride Parade has been going on for 32 years and the event will mark the network's first since the coronavirus pandemic started.

"We are thrilled and excited to announce that Long Island Pride is fully back in person and in an amazing new location," David Kilmnick, president and CEO of the LGBT Network stated. "Thanks to our partnership with Farmingdale Mayor Ralph Ekstrand and the Village Trustees, we have come together to celebrate Pride and it will be showcased in one of Long Island’s great downtowns. On the heels of the pandemic and with anti-LGBT legislation being passed in many states, Pride is more important than ever before to come out, be visible and show unity and strength; especially for those who may not be ready to do so now. It’s time for us to celebrate like we never have before and march out and proud together."

Long Island Pride chose Farmingdale as it is one of the island's most walkable transit-oriented downtowns, according to the network. This year's parade, concert, and festival will take place along the entire Main Street in the Village of Farmingdale.

"The Village of Farmingdale is honored to have been selected as the site for the LGBT Network's Long Island Pride Parade & Festival on June 12th," Ekstrand said. "We truly hope everyone enjoys our wonderful downtown. Farmingdale is ‘Home of the Culinary Quarter Mile’ and tons more! We are here to help in any way, thrilled to welcome the LGBT Network and we know it will be a complete success."

Long Island Pride did not host a parade last year, but it did have an in-person concert and festival. More than 3,000 people showed up at Eisenhower Park for the event.

Long Island Pride is seeking sponsors and parade entrants for its Farmingdale event.