The celebration continues, but it’s not over yet!
Shubie’s Marketplace kicked off Pride Month with a family-friendly community gathering last week, which featured plenty of vendors and food options as well as a DJ, photo booth, and face painting station.
This past Tuesday, the Pride celebration continued at The Landing restaurant. The Landing was filled with people of all ages laughing, talking, enjoying food, and taking part in the many activities The Landing had to offer.
Manager and events coordinator of The Landing, Shauna Martin, said the “crazy turnout” shows how inclusive and supportive the community is.
“Everyone is always welcome at The Landing; this is a safe place,” Martin said.
The Landing was fully decked out with all the bells and whistles. There were multiple photo-ops, banners, and flags hanging from every corner of the ceiling.
Even the staff showed off their Pride, with some dressed in rainbow tutus and boasting Pride-inspired makeup.
Co-chairs of Marblehead Pride, Nick Esposito and Krista Linder, partnered with The Landing to host the event at the restaurant.
Esposito said the celebration was a perfect way to enjoy a Tuesday night.
He added that he enjoyed meeting new people and seeing old friends at the event.
“It’s important, especially in the political climate, to advocate for equality and inclusion, and I’m really happy to do that on a Marblehead,” Esposito said.
Linder echoed Esposito’s remarks, adding that events like these bring people together in the same community, “who might not even know that they lived in the same town.”
She said she enjoyed watching new connections form throughout the event.
Board President of Massachusetts Equity, Rob Henry, said events like these help to bring awareness to the fact that people are not alone, “There is a community behind them.
“It’s wonderful to have a space in town where our community can get together to celebrate camaraderie and community,” he said.
Erin Opperman said she came to the event to spend time “with our community in town,” and she was looking forward to just hanging out.
The Landing also hosted a table for donations, equipped with stickers and rainbow necklaces to go to Marblehead Pride to help sponsor future events. Any leftover funds will be donated to the North Shore Alliance for LGBTQ+ Youth.
