Pride Picnic 2024
Photo credit: Deborah Lannon Photography
What is Pride Month?
Pride Month is an entire month (June) dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, celebration of LGBTQ+ culture, and support for LGBTQ+ rights. It is part political activism, and part celebration of all the LGBTQ+ community has achieved over the years.
Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. At that time, police raids on bars catering to LGBTQ+ patrons were common, but that night, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn fought back. While historical accounts of the night vary, the violent response ignited a national firestorm of activism that brought new visibility to the struggle for LGBTQ+ equality. As a result, many Pride events are held during this month to recognize the impact of LGBTQ+ people locally and around the world.
About the HW Pride Picnic: june 9, 2024 - Noon to 4pm
The HW Pride Picnic is a family-friendly event for all ages created by the Hamilton-Wenham Human Rights Coalition (HWHRC) to celebrate Pride month and create a safe space to uplift the LGBTQ+ community. The first HW Pride Picnic was held in June 2021 and has received over 400 attendees annually.
This year's event will have live music, arts & crafts activities, kite-making, lawn games, a book walk hosted by the HW Library, spaces to talk with other LGBTQ+ folks and allies, Drag 101 makeup tutorials, and opportunities for further learning. We will have limited food vendors, or you can bring your own picnic lunch. There will also be a vendor market with booths for businesses and nonprofit organizations that are LGBTQ+ owned, operated, or allied.
The 2024 Pride Picnic will be held at Patton Homestead (650 Asbury St, South Hamilton, MA) on Sunday, June 9 from 12-4pm.
new this year: Project adventure
We are thrilled to welcome Project Adventure as one of our programmatic partners at this year's Pride Picnic. Founded in 1971 and based in Beverly, Project Adventure is a leader in adventure-based learning experiences and tools to promote growth individuals, schools, healthy communities, and effective organizations.
new this year: Pride olympics
Grab your friends to complete in the (4) events below:
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Gunnysack races
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Egg on spoon races
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Pass the Ducky (seated event for ADA accessibility)
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Wheelbarrow races
Fun rounds all day long - FINALS START AT 3PM! Participants will be awarded prizes for Gold, Silver, and Bronze in each event!
new this year: discussion forums - with puppies!
The Pride Picnic provides a great opportunity for people to come together to share experiences as members of the LGBTQ+ community and those that support them. This year we are thrilled to host a series of moderated discussion forums on the topics below. We will be joined Cape Ann Animal Aid with adorable puppies to facilitate safe and comfortable conversations.
12-1 Coming Out Stories & Support
1 -2 Exploring Gender Identity
2-3 Mental Health & LGBTQ+ Communities
3-4 Queer Caregivers
food trucks
The event is a Picnic, so attendees are more than welcome to BYO lunch and find a comfy spot on the lawn. However, if you don't feel like packing a basket (or just want a treat), we are pleased to welcome these food trucks as well!
2024 live music
Featuring Rachel Clayton and Brenda Sweeney-White, Chapter in Verse features acoustic guitar and powerful harmonies to create music that soothes the soul. Playing together for over 20 years, the duo never fails to rock its audience with high level energy and passion. They play a mix of original, contemporary and classic rock music.
Gigi and the NoiZe is a fun, energetic, professional cover band that has played various Northshore venues, clubs and private events since 2018. The band is led by singer, Gigi Harlamert and their music is primarily classic rock with a little bit of country and blues mixed in.
The In-Betweeners are an energetic and fun rock cover band, playing a mix of the songs you love and the songs you forgot you loved! This is a band that works hard at their craft, and their ever-evolving song list will surely keep the crowd entertained. Spanning songs from the 60s up through current hits, with a big helping of 80s and 90s music, the In-Betweeners have something for everyone.
2024 vendors: spaces still available - FrEE to register
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Aurora Vintage Jewelry
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Hamilton-Wenham Girl Scouts
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Starfall Creations
2024 Sponsors: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
2024 Flagship Sponsors:
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2024 Rainbow Sponsors:
2024 community supporters & in-kind Sponsors:
want to SPONSOR the 2024 picnic? sign up here!
How to get involved
Volunteer
We had around 400 attendees last year and are expecting even more this year, so we need your help to make sure the event runs smoothly! We have shifts available for setup, cleanup, and during the event. Refreshments are provided for volunteers, and break and shift times are flexible. High school student volunteers will receive graduation credit for their time!
contribute supplies
There are a variety of items we need for the picnic, including kite-making kits, art supplies, tables/chairs, popup tents, and donations of water and snacks for our hard-working volunteers. You can drop of items on June 9 at Patton Homestead from 9-10am, or you can coordinate a different drop off time and location with us.
donate
Donations enable us to make this event happen by funding things like supplies for fun activities and less glamorous things like rental fees or porta potties. We hope that 2024's Pride Picnic will be even bigger and better than last year, and we need your financial support to make that happen. Any money you donate will help us continue hosting events, creating educational opportunities, and working to build a more equitable society. You can specify money to go into general funds or Pride-specific activities. Any amount helps, so please consider making a donation!
Please note the Hamilton-Wenham Human Rights Coalition is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization (EIN 86-1966109). In accordance with state and federal law, your donation is not tax-deductible.
WHY PRIDE MATTERS
LGBTQ+ people are under a coordinated attack in state legislatures across the country, with a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills on track to be considered in 2024.
Many of these discriminatory bills target transgender kids, including dozens upon dozens of bills that try to ban trans kids from playing sports or receiving life-saving health care. These bills are dangerous and discriminatory. The Trevor Project estimates that at least one LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 13–24 attempts suicide every 45 seconds in the U.S.
LGBTQ+ and non-binary people are our neighbors, co-workers, family members and friends. As LGBTQ+ people and allies, we have a responsibility to fight for EVERYONE in our movement. We all deserve to be seen, to be respected, and to have our unique and diverse identities recognized and celebrated.
see you on june 9!
Questions or suggestions? Email info@hwhumanrights.org