This page includes information for the 2022 picnic :
2023 updates coming soon!
Pride Picnic
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2022 volunteers
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
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 received over 400 attendees, with more expected to attend in 2022.
This event will have live music, arts & crafts activities, lawn games, spaces to talk with other LGBTQ+ folks and allies, and opportunities for further learning. We will have food trucks, or you can BYO picnic lunch. There will also be a vendor market with booths for businesses and nonprofit organizations that are LGBTQ+ owned, operated, or allied.
This year’s Pride Picnic will be held at Patton Homestead (650 Asbury St, South Hamilton, MA) on Saturday, June 11 from 12-4pm. The rain date is Sunday, June 12 at the same place and time.
Pride rides = free picnic transportation
The Wenham Council on Aging has partnered with us to provide FREE rides in their wheelchair-accessible van. The van will continuously be making stops from 12-4pm at the Hamilton Council on Aging, (299 Bay Road, Hamilton), the Wenham Council on Aging (10 School Street, Wenham), the Hamilton MBTA parking lot (behind the CVS at 15 Walnut Road, Hamilton), and Patton Homestead. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this free transportation option. No pre-registration is required - just hop on board the Pride Ride!
thank you to our 2022 Sponsors!
Lead Sponsors:
Banner Sponsors:
Nonprofit Sponsors:
In-Kind Sponsors:
2022 vendors
Business
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1A Wellness
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Albrecht Auto Group
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Art by Heather Maes
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Copper Dog Books
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Coven Dark Boutique
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Deborah Lannon Photography
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Timeless Life Treasures
Non-Profit and Government
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Department of Children and Families Foster MA
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Hamilton-Wenham Public Library
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HWRSD Gender & Sexualities Alliance
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North Shore LGBTQ+ History by Activist Gigi Gill,, Gay Queen of Salem
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NAGLY (North Shore Alliance of GLBTQ Youth)
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North Shore LGBTQ+ Network
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North Shore NAACP Youth Council
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North Shore Pride
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The Community House
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Town of Hamilton Human Rights Commission
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Town of Wenham Human Rights Committee
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Wenham Village Improvement Society
Food
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Assorted snacks and beverages
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Crêpe du Jour
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Chips and dip (provided by Rev Kitchen & Bar)
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Five Son's Pizza
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Honeycomb
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Ice cream truck
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Richie's Italian Ice
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Shiela's truck
How to get involved
Volunteer at the picnic
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.
Contribute or lend items
There are a variety of items we need for the picnic -- from yard games or a pop up tent for us borrow, to donations of water and snacks for us to sell or give to volunteers. You can drop of items on June 11 at Patton Homestead from 9-10am, or you can coordinate a different drop off time and location with us.
Provide a financial contribution
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 2022'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 (status pending; EIN 86-1966109). In accordance with state and federal law, your donation is not tax-deductible.
WHY PRIDE MATTERS NOW
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 2022.
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 11!
Questions or suggestions? Email info@hwhumanrights.org