Newark Pride kicked off its annual Pride week July 16 and, after a hiatus, the event is this year bringing back its parade to North Jersey.
The multi-day celebration, which usually draws up to 2,000 people each year, will run until July 21 with a diverse schedule of events, culminating in the parade and festival July 21.
The parade will start at 1 p.m. at Raymond and Park Place and head towards the festival in Washington Park.
Newark Pride Committee co-chair Perris Straughter said the parade has been a feature of the festivities since 2008 but, due to a change of festival location, had not been feasible for several years.
Straughter said although the parade is usually on the smaller scale, it will be twice as big as it was before.
After the parade, the festival will feature live entertainment, food and vendors offering both information and merchandise.
“We have a couple-dozen vendors including nonprofit organizations, some local and some regional, and some are LGBT-affiliated and some are from government organizations,” Straughter said. “We will also have vendors selling wares such as clothing and jewelry, as well as food.”
Before Sunday’s celebration, supporters will mark the seventh-annual Pride flag-raising at 5:30 p.m. July 18 at the City Hall Rotunda.
“It is always well-attended and a time when our politicians can see our community and see that we are strong and have a vote,” Straughter said.
From 4-10 p.m. July 19, guests will have a chance to celebrate Pride on one of Newark’s most LGBT-friendly streets. “Out & About” on Halsey Street will allow attendees the chance to eat, drink and shop with other LGBTs and allies.
At 7 p.m. July 20, the organization will stage the Newark Proud! Awards Gala at Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art, 591 Broad St. Tickets are $40 for individuals and $60 for couples.
Straughter said although Newark Pride is not as big as some other Pride events in the region, it packs a unique lineup of events for both Newark residents and visitors to enjoy.
“It is very community-oriented, and all of our events are. Our events and festival have music and performances and it is much less of a party and more of an opportunity in this city for LGBT people to have a safe space to feel completely open,” he said. For more information on Newark Pride, visit www.newarkgaypride.org.