Pride Picnic Coming To Town Of Huntington

HALESITE, NY — The 1st Annual Huntington Family Pride Picnic is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Mill Dam Park in Halesite, Huntington Councilwoman Joan Cergol announced.

The picnic is set to be hosted by Town of Huntington residents Eric and Jim Rubin Perez, along with Port Washington-based group, Be the Rainbow.

Admission to the picnic is free and open to all members of the Huntington community, according to a news release from Cergol's Office.

The event, billed as a “family-friendly community gathering,” is designed to celebrate LGBTQ+ families and will feature music and activities for children of all ages, according to the release.

“We’re excited to kick off the first of what will hopefully be many Family Pride Picnics,” said Eric and Jim Rubin Perez. “We want to bring the entire community together, not only to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride, but to recognize the beauty and importance of family and show that Huntington embraces diversity.”

A representative from Be the Rainbow said the organization is "proud" to help organize the picnic.

"We are driven to increase visibility and inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ on a local level and we're thrilled that Huntington will now have this welcoming and joyful event for all to enjoy.”

The organizers received support from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington and Huntington Village Pediatrics. They then turned to Cergol for help in securing Mill Dam Park and other town permissions.

“Huntington has always been a leader in supporting the LGBTQ+ community,” Cergol said. “It was my privilege to assist Jim and Eric with this wonderful event to celebrate Pride Month, love and fellowship. I look forward to it becoming an annual event to highlight our town’s long tradition of embracing people of all genders and orientations.”

At their April meeting, Councilmembers Dr. Dave Bennardo and Salvatore Ferro joined Cergol to sponsor the Pride picnic.

“I’m happy to support an important part of our community that has contributed so much to the cultural fabric of our town,” Ferro said. “I will always work to ensure that the Town of Huntington continues to live up to its reputation for inclusivity.”

The Town of Huntington's strength, Bennardo said, rests on the "rich, beautiful mosaic" its people represent.

"Huntington is a vibrant, inclusive place where everyone is welcome and diversity is embraced,” Bennardo said. “We look forward to dozens more events that shine a bright spotlight on the warm, welcoming nature of our Huntington community.”