White Mountains Pride to host Mt Washington Valley’s First Pride Week and Festival, June 23-29

White Mountains Pride to host Mt Washington Valley’s First Pride Week and Festival

North Conway, NH– White Mountains Pride, dedicated to promoting inclusion throughout the White Mountains, is excited to announce the inaugural LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) Pride Week and Festival in Mt Washington Valley, NH, celebrated June 23 – 29, 2019. The event will culminate with a day-long festival filled with activities for all, on June 29th in North Conway.

June, 2019 marks 50 years since the Stonewall Riots in New York City, which solemnized the beginning of the modern Gay Rights movement in the United States. In today’s political environment the LGBTQ community is still fighting for equality, safety, and human rights. The White Mountains Pride Festival is a way to celebrate diversity in the White Mountains community, plus support equal rights, and show commitment to acceptance of all members.

Christopher Bellis, Co-Chair of White Mountains Pride, along with D.J. Kramer, states “The reason to do this is to give our community the opportunity to show they are welcoming to all LGBTQ people, and to create events that celebrate, educate, and help foster acceptance”. Bellis and Kramer, both North Conway residents, began organizing the planning committee for this year’s Pride Festival in the summer of 2018 with widespread community support. The planning committee states, “it is our vision that The White Mountains Pride Week and Festival will become an annual tradition that grows in size, spirit, and success of mission each year”.

White Mountains Pride will include special events happening throughout Mt Washington Valley during the month of June. Celebrations will culminate on June 29th with a free family-friendly festival at the North Conway Community Center and surrounding Schouler Park from 10am-4pm. Attendees will enjoy live music, performers, food, games, as well as local vendors and nonprofit tables. Look for more details on events below.

The committee continues to welcome vendors and sponsors for the event as well as volunteers. More information, including vendor and sponsor packets can be found at www.whitemountainspride.com. Says Kramer, “We are looking forward to a fun, exciting, and memorable White Mountains Pride celebration for all LGBTQ people and their allies to enjoy this year, and in years to come!”

ABOUT WHITE MOUNTAINS PRIDE White Mountains Pride is the volunteer-directed organization behind the official White Mountains Pride roster of events. White Mountains Pride’s mission is to work toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law. We do this by producing LGBTQ Pride events that inspire, educate, commemorate and celebrate our diverse community.

For more information on the White Mountain Pride Festival, visit www.whitemountainspride.com.

Schedule of Events (more to be added as announced)

June 6th 6:00-9:00pm : Lip Synch Battle at Abenaki Trail Restaurant & Pub, North Conway: This not-to-be-missed event will feature a "Dueling Divas" performance by two of our greatest supporters! Lots of great acts for a great cause!

​ June 15th 3:00pm: NH Gay Men’s Chorus Concert at The Lutheran Church of the Nativity, North Conway: A very special performance celebrating the church’s acceptance of all LGBTQ people of faith. Tickets available soon!

​ June 22nd 8:30am-9:45am: Pride Yoga at Boot Camp Studio, West Ossipee ​Join Kripalu trained yoga instructor Tara Schroeder for a class benefiting White Mountains Pride. $10 suggested donation at door. Class is suitable for all levels. For more information and to register email Tara at greenturtleyoganh Space is limited to the first 20 registrants.

​June 23rd, 2019 at 10:00am: Hike for Equality: Kick of White Mountains Pride Week by joining Gay Outdoors for a hike up Cathedral Ledge. A great way to see the amazing views, meet new people, and show your Pride!

June 29th 2019 10:00am-4:00pm: White Mountains Pride Festival at North Conway Community Center: A free family-friendly afternoon of fun, entertainment, games, food, as we celebrate everything PRIDE!