2nd Pride Day Features
Parade, Entertainment
Hundreds of LBGTQ and their friends, family and allies took to the streets of Oneonta on Saturday to celebrate during the second annual Pridefest. The event, hosted by the Otsego Pride Alliance, included a rally in Neahwa Park honoring Rev. Theresa Sivers and Rev. Craig Schwalenberg for their support in the movement. Above, Oneonta’s Fiona Maloney, Caroline Bagby and Kate White march along Main Street during the parade. At right, Reese Cash, Oneonta, gets her photo taken with drag queen Janyra as festivities in the park kicked off with live music, The Catskill Puppet Theater, the Ithaca Gay Men’s Chorus, a drag show, Cosmic Karma Fire and more. “I did not anticipate how much this event meant to people.” said event organizer Elayne Mosher Campoli, “We feel valued and respected in our identities. The reaction to Pridefest has been overwhelmingly positive.” (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Pridefest is a wonderful celebration of acceptance and diversity! I’m so glad that this is becoming a yearly tradition, and so very proud to be a part of it!
Wonderful day. Oneonta shines brightly celebrating its diversity!
Thank you to OPA for putting on such a welcoming community event! I was overwhelmed by the kindness, the feeling of togetherness, and, to put it simply, the love that surrounded the entire day.
Having Pridefest celebrated by so many is a powerful reminder of the depth of support in Otsego County for our LBGTQ friends and neighbors. I commend the organizers, the entertainers, the participants, and all who showed up to celebrate and support the LBGTQ community.
Those who fear inclusivity may feel threatened and lash out in ugly missives because they are scared and they know that the tide is not on their dwindling side. The Otsego Pride Alliance and Pridefest are not going anywhere, they are only going to grow stronger. To quote Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Love is love is love is love, cannot be killed or swept aside.” And now, we “fill the world with music, love and pride.”
Keep it up OPA!
I had an AMAZING time…. Pridefest is always fun
What a fabulous event. So much love. Xo