Hear more Community Spotlight listings at 15 and 45 past nearly every hour at 97.9 WHAV. To submit news of events, fundraising appeals and other announcements, click on the image. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Haverhill Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Jim Moser of Lynn, author of the recently released “Queer Heroes of the North Shore: Four Centuries of Love, Rebellion, and Survival,” kicks off Haverhill Pride Month with a flag raising Thursday.
This year’s flag will be raised on a pole on the grounds of Winnekenni Castle, near the Carriage House off Castle Road, in Haverhill Thursday, June 4, at 4 p.m. The raising, organized by Haverhill Pride Collective, will be followed by a reception at Roma Restaurant, 29 Middlesex St., Haverhill, sponsored by Haverhill Bank.
Haverhill Pride Collective’s Second Annual Pride Parade is Saturday, June 20. The parade steps off at 12:30 p.m., from Grand Army Park on Main Street and proceeds down Main Street, takes a right on Merrimack Street and continues down Washington Street to Railroad Square.
Parade day celebration continues with a family-friendly block party including craft vendors, food trucks, resource fair and drag festival on Haverhill’s waterfront. The All Ages Pride After Party, at 5 p.m., includes a movie screening on the Rep. Brian S. Dempsey Boardwalk. An adults-only drag show takes place beginning at 5 p.m. at Skyline Social, 160 Merrimack St., Haverhill.
Appearing recently on WHAV, Treasurer Meg Adams put out the call for parade volunteers as well as help carrying out the group’s activities through the year.
“If you are a volunteer, we’d love to have you at the Pride Parade or join one of our committees. And really, we’re just creating a roadmap for a more inclusive community here whether it be through events, social meet-ups, workshops that we have. It’s not just during the month of June. It’s 365 days of the year,” Adams said, also speaking on behalf of Nathan Phillips, president of the LGBTQ+ social and advocacy organization.
Haverhill Pride Collective is hosting its monthly meetup Tuesday, June 9, 6 p.m., at Barrios, 2 Merrimack St, Haverhill. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
The group is sponsoring a free drop-in Youth Pride Bracelet Making Workshop on Thursday, June 18, at Creative Haverhill, 43 Washington St. Children in elementary school and their families are invited from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. Teens are invited from 3-5 p.m.
Among other Pride activities, the Rev. Donna Spencer Collins leads a special service Sunday, June 7, 10 a.m., at Groveland Congregational Church, 4 King St., Groveland, featuring Moser as guest speaker. A Pride Worship Service takes place Sunday, June 14, 10:30 a.m., at Universalist Unitarian Church, 15 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill. The Haverhill Public Library is also offering two, free do-it-yourself Pride Button Making Workshops Wednesday, June 10, for teens at 4 p.m. and adults at 6 p.m. Garibaldi Club, 86 Washington St., offers Three Card Bingo on Saturday, June 13, at 2 p.m. The cost is $25 for two cards, $40 for four. The library is also hosting a Pride Picnic for Teens Thursday, June 18, at 1 p.m. Snacks will be provided. Those who are attending are advised to bring lunch.