The 'Pride' Will Be On In Patchogue Village This June

PATCHOGUE, NY — What started out as a call for a quick, informal meeting recently morphed into something big for Patchogue Village — the first Pride parade planned for this June.

Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce Executive Director David Kennedy said he did not expect the turnout because of the short notice.

"When we had the first meeting, 30 people showed up with the notice we sent from the chamber, he told the Patchogue Village Board of Trustees Monday. "It just shows right away what a groundswell of support."

Ronald Diele-Stein, who owns a business in Patchogue, said he and his husband, James, approached Kennedy a couple of weeks ago and told him that they believed it was about time that Patchogue had its own Pride parade.

The idea came about before COVID-19, but didn't become a reality until now.

"We need something that sets us apart, and it's really important to us," he said. "It's important to our community. It's important to give back to the community."

Diele-Stein also noted the overwhelming support for the parade, calling it "awesome."

"This is, like, amazing," he said, adding that he has received phone calls non-stop since the word was put out.

Diele-Stein said that he would like to keep the event local and does not plan to involve outside organizations, and make it a "great event, and more importantly, in a family fun event and to show everybody that you're accepted here and casual."

James Diele-Stein said the couple was inspired after attending the Pride parade in Babylon, in which businesses were decorated with rainbow balloons and there were "tons" of sponsors, with some big names like Northwell Health.

"It was really touching," he said, adding, "I thought, 'Why can't we have that here?'"

The village's Board of Trustees approved the parade following the presentation, though organizers are still waiting for approval of the special events application.

The parade will run from 12 to 2 p.m. on June 4.