WILLIAMSBURG — Virginia Organizing will bring the Williamsburg Area Pride Festival to Jamestown Beach Event Park on Saturday, June 27, from noon to 5 p.m. This is the first large-scale pride event in James City County and will fill the geographic gap between pride events on the Peninsula and in Richmond.
“As a trans person who has lived in the area my whole life, I am extremely excited to have a pride event of our own made by our community,” said Raegan Collier of the Williamsburg Area Chapter of Virginia Organizing.
The festival will be held at 2205 Jamestown Road and will feature family-friendly activities including arts and crafts, face painting, vendor tables, a photo booth and a DJ. Food trucks will serve southern-style cuisine, BBQ, Chilean food, and Italian ice. An after-party for attendees 18 and older follows at Virginia Beer Company from 5 p.m. to close.
Several local faith congregations have voiced support for the event. Rev. Lisa Green, rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, said the festival reflects her congregation’s commitment to welcoming all.
“Supporting the Pride festival is a public expression of the congregation’s commitment to unity-in-diversity and welcome of all,” she said. “We are so grateful for the gifts of our LGBTQ+ members and the wider community.”
Historic Area Religions Together, a multifaith collaborative of local congregations, will hold a solidarity service the following day, Sunday, June 28, at 2:30 p.m. at Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists.
