2009 Gay Pride Festivals: Long Island Events and Schedule of Events

As the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community get ready for Gay Pride celebrations, here are two Long Island events that you surely will not want to miss.

The Gay Pride Parade held in Huntington, NY
Take part or come down and show your support for the great Long Island Gay Pride Parade taking place in Huntington on June 14, 2009. The parade will begin at 1:00 p.m. starting on Gerard Street in municipal parking lot across the street from the Huntington Post Office. The parade route will take revelers down Main Street, turning left on Prime Avenue, ending at Heckscher Park.

Before the parade begins, the Gay Pride Rally will take place at the kick off point of the parade in the municipal parking lot. Taking part in the Rally are various speakers, musical groups and other entertainment.

After the parade, The Festival in the Park, held at Heckscher Park will be the highlight of the Pride Day Celebration. Join members of Long Island's GLBT community for an afternoon of fun and festivities. There is no admission charge to enter the festival and there will be a "Pride Kiddie Korner" featuring free face painting, balloon animals, cotton candy, a moon bouncer and clowns. The celebration also features a food court, live entertainers, venders and community information booths. Don't forget to mark the date on your calendar!

Out in Sayville 2009
Since 2002, this fun filled three day event has been held on the last weekend of May. Sayville and Fire Island share a combined venue for the Out in Sayville in 2009 Gay Pride festivities. The weekend long event begins with a 9:00 p.m. Kickoff Party held at the Bunkhouse. As usual the fun is scheduled to continue on through the wee hours of the morning. The Bunkhouse is located at 192 N. Main Street, Sayville.

Start your Saturday with a brunch held at the Sayville Inn, 199 Middle Road. The brunch is held from 9:30-11:30 and after you are finished having a great breakfast walk on down to the Gillette Park Common Ground where the music and arts festival will be taking place. Scheduled musical appearances by Rorie Kelly, the Corrientes, Sandy Rapp, the New Country Singers, Rorie Kelly, Eric's in Oregon and of course the Bunkhouse Idol winner.

Take the ferry over to Fire Island's Cherry Grove to attend a three-hour Silent Auction and Tea Dance at the renowned Cherry's Bar. Don't leave after the tea though or you'll miss the fantastic
Drag-a-Go-Go scheduled from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. Also going on Sunday is the Sayville Wrap Up Party held at the famous Ice Palace in Cherry Grove. This event will start at noon and run until late in the afternoon.

Sayville and the popular towns of Cherry Grove ad the Pines are a wonderful place to visit anytime, not just during this fun Gay Pride weekend event.