Garrett County Pride, Inc. (GCP), a newly incorporated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is excited to announce its first-ever Pride Festival, a landmark event scheduled for June 15, 2024, at Leo Martin Memorial Park in Mountain Lake Park in Garrett County, Maryland. This festival marks a significant milestone in supporting and enhancing visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community in Western Maryland.
The day’s festivities will begin with a Pride Ride from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, followed by the main celebration from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, featuring an array of food and beverage vendors, DJ music, live entertainment, and information booths. The event will conclude with a vibrant After-Party held from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM in Downtown Oakland on a closed Alder Street. The event also includes a Pride Art Contest with the theme “What Pride Means to You,” showcasing winning entries at the $MART ART space through mid-July.
The festival not only celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community but also serves as a platform for education and advocacy, with an aim to foster a more inclusive and accepting environment throughout the region.
“Garrett County has always been home to a diverse range of individuals including those from the LGBTQIA+ community. With this festival, we are creating a space where everyone can feel safe and proud to be themselves,” stated Ezra Duncan, Vice Chairperson of GCP and a pioneer in LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
Devin Barroga, founder and Chairperson of GCP, emphasized the ongoing commitment to visibility and authenticity: “We are here to show that it’s possible to walk into any room, hostile or not, and be seen. This festival is just the beginning of building a resilient community that values tolerance that can evolve into respect and civility.”
Safety is a top priority for the organizers, who have briefed local law enforcement and security volunteers to ensure a secure environment for all participants. The festival promises to be a day of joy, empowerment, and community building.
Stormi Martin, Secretary of GCP, emphasized the festival’s role in fostering community dialogue: “Change and growth in Garrett County hinge on our ability to embrace diversity. This festival is more than a celebration; it’s a conversation starter aimed at encouraging young people to engage and stay in the area to help cultivate a community that embraces everyone.”
Garrett County Pride, Inc. is supported by a diverse board of nine members, including local community leaders. In preparation for the event, GCP has engaged various community leaders, residents, and allies who have come together to support the LGBTQIA+ community through advocacy, education, and celebration.
The organization continues to seek volunteers and sponsors to help make this inaugural festival a success.
“We look forward to a very fun & safe event! Garrett County’s first Pride Festival is a celebration of being authentically yourself and feeling free & safe to do so. This event is our North Star. However, Garrett County Pride’s efforts do not stop there. This is an annual event that folks can look forward to, but our main goal is to provide education and resources to our marginalized & vulnerable LGBTQIA+ community members,”said Barroga.
For more information, please visit www.garrettcountypride.org or contact GCP at garrettcountypridefestival@gmail.com.
Pictured below from left to right are Devin Barroga, Stormi Martin, and Ezra Duncan:
