Union County Reschedules Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic for September

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has announced that the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic, celebrating marriage equality in the State of New Jersey, has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 16 at Rahway River Park in Rahway from 12 Noon until 5 P.M.

"Unpredicted inclement weather forced us to postpone the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic, which was originally scheduled for last month," said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. "The Freeholder Board is pleased to announce that the event, in its entirety, has been rescheduled for September. This celebration of life, love and liberty is about offering LGBTQ and ally parents and children a space to connect, support and celebrate together."

A celebration of all families, the free Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic will include music, arts and crafts (featuring a "LOVE Makes a Family" poster making station), inflatable bounce houses for all ages, face painting, music, and much more.

A Family Equality Rally will kick off at 1:00 P.M. with special guest speakers and performances. Parents and children are encouraged to show your family's Pride with a sign or banner. Bring a rally sign or join us at the Rally Poster Making Station between noon and 1:00 p.m. to create one.

The day's celebration will also include a live family concert starting at 2:30 P.M.

Family field day team games will kick off at 3:30 P.M. Families and individuals of all ages (adults, teens, and children are all welcome) interested in participating in the field day competition should register online at ucnj.org/Pride so that teams can be formed.

Families are invited to pack a picnic lunch and head out to the park with blankets and lawn chairs for an afternoon of fun. Food trucks will also be on site for those who wish to purchase lunch.

LGBTQ family and marriage equality advocacy and ally organizations will also set up tables, alongside the Freeholder Board information van, with general information and resource material.

"Pride events matter because inequality is not always obvious. Union County's pride event demonstrates the support for diversity and full equality," said Chairman Bergen. "Marriage equality rights are in part the result of years of Pride events. The Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic brings advocates, allies, and families of the LGBTQ community together to celebrate individuality and raise awareness for the need to meet the equality challenges of the LGBTQ community."

In the event of inclement weather the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic will be held at the Warinanco Sports Center, Warinanco Park in Elizabeth/Roselle.

For more information visit ucnj.org/Pride, or find the Union County Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic event page at Facebook.com/CountyOfUnion, or call the Union County Office of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.