More than 1,700 people gathered to celebrate pride at the first Oakdale Pride Celebration, which was hosted at the Gene Bianchi Community Center this past weekend. An event that faced some adversity in the beginning came together and brought people from all backgrounds – as well as from multiple Central Valley communities and beyond – to Oakdale on Sunday, June 28 to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Some were there to offer free hugs and others were there to connect with friends and make some new ones. Centered around love in all of its various forms, the event brought folks together to share a few hours of music, friendship and free expression. Originally scheduled at Dorada Park, the event was relocated to the Community Center, making use of space inside the facility as well as outside in the plaza.
For Lisa May, owner of Sisters Coffee Shop in Oakdale and one of the event’s biggest supporters, helping the organizers bring this event to life was especially important. Addressing the crowd, many of whom are regulars at her monthly LGBTQ+ Socials, May shared, “Many of you told me that you didn’t have anywhere to go to meet people, that you had to go to bars at night in the dark to meet friends but now look at you, you’re here right in the middle of town and you are here in the light, meeting people, making new friends at Oakdale Pride.”
As the crowd applauded May and her efforts to support the LGBTQ+ community, the first musician, Candace Lamb, took the stage and opened with “Come and Get Your Love,” by Redbone, a song that prompted many to jump out onto the dance floor.
Inside the Bianchi Community Center, various groups were there to share information and support including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Raging Grannies of Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties, a group that promotes social activism through humor and music.
“We wanted to be here to offer hugs and to offer our support to those that might need it,” said Juli Fountain, Raging Granny from Tuolumne County.
Outside, the plaza area was filled with fun games like Connect Four and tetherball, along with some vendors selling unique hand-crafted gifts. For some attendees, like Dominic Coleman who traveled from Mariposa to show his support for Oakdale Pride, the event was inspirational.
“Growing up around here in the Valley, we didn’t have any events like this so it makes me feel good to know that things are changing because we didn’t have any representation before and now, we can look around and find people just like us,” said Coleman.
The gathering concluded with a colorful drag show and the overall event was organized by CalPride Stanislaus in partnership with local volunteers and community members.
