Over the weekend I was able to volunteer with both the Boston Pride Festival on City Hal Plaza and with their JP Block Party near the MSPCA facilities in Jamaica Plain. From what I’m hearing a great time was had by all, and I know I enjoyed being a part of the festivities.
Once again this year I was stationed in the Volunteer Tent for the festival, and with my back and knee issues, it was a great way to use me since I can’t really do a lot of standing and walking. This year I was able to extend my time at the Volunteer Tent and help start turning the tent around to being the site of the Pride Youth Dance. I wasn’t able to do much of that when it came to moving large or heavy items, but I was happy to do what I could before calling it a day.
At the JP Block Party, I started off being more of a general helper and helped get the family fun area set up. As the gates opened I moved over to the entrance, partly helping make sure we had wristbands to put on attendees and partly trying to make sure people had opportunity to get copies of the Pride Guide and the free fans that were donated by Tito’s Vodka, one of the very appreciated sponsors of Boston Pride events.
Throughout the weekend I enjoyed talking with the various member of the Pride staff and committee members, as well as with some of my fellow volunteers. One of the things I enjoyed most was talking with volunteers I had met last year at the Fest. I especially enjoyed talking with Julia and Brian again and seeing that not only was Julia a committee member for the JP Block Party but she and her husband had adopted a dog at last year’s Block Party and appear in this year’s Guide with Kona. Their picture is on page 120 of the Guide and I’m glad they consented to autograph my copy of the Guide. Brian had told Julia that they’d probably be asked for their autographs for being in the Guide and when I asked Brian to sign my Guide he laughed when I gave him a chance to tell Julia, “I told you so.” I just hope I’m not the only one to recognize them being in the Guide and get their autographs. They’re fantastic people, and I was glad to hear they got engaged since I met them last year. Congrats!
Pride Week 2017 may be over, but there are more Pride events throughout New England that you may want to go to. Boston Pride will be hosting a reading with queer novelist SJ Sindu on the 26th of June. You can get the details for the reading here, and you can see the whole Pride calendar on the Pride website.