Pride picnic held at Astoria Park celebrating end of Pride Month

Photo by Angelica Vivas

July 19, 2024 By Angelica Vivas

Queer performers ignited energy into hundreds of New Yorkers laid across the Great Lawn in Astoria Park on Saturday, June 29, to celebrate the last days of Pride Month.

Astoria Has Pride organized the neighborhood’s second annual Pride Picnic with the help of five main sponsors and more than ten local businesses.

Brian Martinez, owner of Fresco’s Cantina in Astoria, served as this year’s lead organizer, building on the success of last year’s inaugural Pride Picnic.

Martinez aimed to “highlight the queer community in Astoria a little bit more.”

“Obviously, we have Pride events going throughout the city—from Brooklyn Pride and Harlem Pride, Queens Pride and New York City Pride—but Astoria has a big queer population,” said Martinez. “I feel that there wasn’t a good representation for it, or an event that brings everyone together in a positive light.”

Photo by Angelica Vivas

Local and state elected officials stopped by not only to watch the performances but to emphasize celebrating the spirit of pride amidst the recent hostility towards the queer community. Council Member Tiffany Cabán stressed that electing queer officials creates safer and healthier communities through the lived experiences of fighting for the queer liberation of themselves and others.

“It has always been about creating communities that allow us to experience, to create, to spread joy, to build families and experiences that make our lives joyful and worth living,” said Cabán.

Photo by Angelica Vivas

Families and friends decked out in an assortment of pride gear, waving rainbow flags and fans given out by volunteers. Drag performers took the Great Lawn as their stage, lip-syncing queer anthems and dancing through the cheering crowd.

Photo by Angelica Vivas

Hassan, a local drag artist who hosted the event, kicked off the picnic by singing “Toxic” by Britney Spears in a rainbow dress and ruffled sleeves. Awaiting their time on stage, other drag performers sat on picnic blankets beside friends and waved at attendees.

“It is important to hold the fight for liberation while also celebrating and having joy amongst each other in our community,” said Jessica González-Rojas, New York State Assembly Member. “This is a demonstration of love for the Astoria community.”