by Dot Cannon
Happy Anniversary to San Gabriel Valley Pride! This weekend, they mark 21 years–and counting.
And they’d like to invite you to a celebration.
Tomorrow, Sunday, October 16th, they’ll host their 2022 Pride festival, from noon to 6 pm in El Monte’s Arceo Park.
This particular festival is unique among LGBTQ Pride events: it’s free, and highly family-friendly.
And over the years we’ve covered them, SGV Pride has consistently hosted some of the most creative and welcoming events we’ve ever experienced.
The 2022 edition, according to SGV Pride Board Member Christopher Ramirez, is going to be highly interactive. Cosplay, family arts and crafts, and lawn “gaymes” will all be part of the fun.
So will an authors’ tent, with readings throughout the day.
Chris says SGV Pride, which is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, looks forward to adding more S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art and math) features to their future festivals.
This year, participants include the Jet Propulsion Lab and Downey Science Museum!
A creative cornucopia
Choosing one favorite feature, from the years we’ve covered SGV Pride festivals, would be very difficult.
The performance stage features highly talented performers throughout the day.
Attendees getting to dance, or receiving a free mini-dance lesson, is not unusual.
We loved the Blessing of the Animals, especially, following an interfaith worship service during 2019 Pride in Pasadena.
(Particularly the prayer of gratitude, which included a reference to “all cats, lions and tigers and jaguars and bad little kittens”. Sounds as if the speakers have some experience with the latter, especially!)
And “The Big Draw L.A.”, with its opportunities to offer a message of support to the community through creative skills, is a personal favorite.
Prepare to be wowed by those classic cars, too.
Every SGV Pride festival features a classic car show by the members of Great Autos of Yesteryear.
San Gabriel Valley Pride, as noted in previous posts, started in 2001 as a family reunion gathering in Pasadena’s Central Park. Several years later, Chris explains, the event evolved into its current festival format.
After a number of years in Pasadena, the festival moved to El Monte for the first time in 2021. 2022 marks their second year in El Monte.
As we continue isolating out of an abundance of caution for older family members, we’re beset with severe disappointment. This is going to be a fantastic event, that we’re sorry to miss.
But if you’re in the area, you and your family are cordially invited! You may come in costume if you like. But whatever you wear, come prepared to celebrate love, creativity and kindness with an amazing community.