{"id":6405,"date":"2021-04-30T03:29:14","date_gmt":"2021-04-30T07:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shorebeat.com\/tomsriver\/?p=6405"},"modified":"2021-04-30T03:29:14","modified_gmt":"2021-04-30T07:29:14","slug":"toms-river-to-host-3rd-annual-lgbt-pride-festival-june-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shorebeat.com\/tomsriver\/2021\/04\/toms-river-to-host-3rd-annual-lgbt-pride-festival-june-13\/","title":{"rendered":"Toms River to Host 3rd Annual LGBT Pride Festival June 13"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Rainbow<\/a>

Rainbow pride flag. (Credit: Quinn Dombrowski\/ Flickr)<\/p><\/div>\n

Toms River\u2019s Exit 82 Theatre Company will host the third annual Toms River Pride festival June 13, celebrating the Jersey Shore region\u2019s LGBT community, organizers said.<\/p>\n

The theatre company is planning the celebration along with local partners. The Covid-19 compliant event will take place on Washington Street between Main Street and Hooper Avenue in Toms River\u2019s Downtown District from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live performances happening outdoors and at Exit 82 Theatre throughout the day. A drag show fundraiser to benefit Toms River Pride is scheduled for the evening of Saturday, June 12, with details to follow.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an Ocean County LGBTQ+ safe space, we\u2019re proud that Toms River Pride has been embraced as a new, inclusive tradition in which all can partake,\u201d event organizers and Exit 82 Theatre Company founders Billy Cardone and Keely Davenport said in an announcement. \u201cWith the privilege to celebrate comes a reminder that there is still work to be done to make our society more inclusive, like ensuring our transgender and [people of color] brethren are protected and valued.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s program includes the opening ceremony announcement of the inaugural Pride Advocate Award<\/a> that, through a public nomination process, acknowledges New Jersey\u2019s most impactful LGBTQ+ advocates and allies in the community. Throughout the day, the event will feature live entertainment and drag shows, family-friendly activities, partner activations, educational resources, and promotions by local businesses and restaurants downtown and across the county. Supporters are encouraged to participate in a Pride Month Visibility Campaign by displaying rainbow colors at home and on businesses, vehicles, boats and outfits for the month of June.<\/p>\n

Those who wish to participate in Toms River Pride can attend<\/a> with friends and family, become an official Pride Partner, Vendor or Sponsor<\/a>, host a fundraiser or volunteer<\/a>, make a Pride Advocate Award nomination<\/a>, follow the @TomsRiverPride<\/a> Facebook page for updates, join remotely via live-streamed shows<\/a>, and make a donation<\/a> to the host organization.<\/p>\n

All participants must comply with the State of New Jersey\u2019s COVID-19 guidelines.<\/p>\n

More Information and Schedule:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Program (More Will Be Added):<\/p>\n