June is Pride Month, and Dutchess County is leading the celebration with fun and exciting events for the LGBTQ+ community all month long! June is also a wonderful time to visit us here in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley. The weather is beautiful and the views are breathtaking.
Here is a sampling of what is on the schedule. Take lots of pictures, and feel free to share them here.
Check back often, as events are being added regularly. In addition to plenty of one-time events, there are also several ongoing events you won't want to miss.
For more on LGBTQ+ travel, click here.
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• Stanford Pride Celebration — Saturday, June 6, 1 p.m., at Bangallworks, Bangall
• Queer Outdoor Adventures Pride Picnic — Saturday, June 6, 12 p.m., at Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park, Beacon
• Poughkeepsie Pride Parade and Festival — Saturday, June 13, 12 p.m., at Victor C. Waryas Park, Poughkeepsie
• BeckHook Pride Parade & Festival — Sunday, June 22, 10 a.m., at the Village of Red Hook Municipal Lot
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Daily, Thursdays–Sundays June 4–Oct. 31, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Hyde Park
This seemingly ordinary, otherwise nondescript stone cottage holds great significance in American history — and LGBTQ+ history as well. The only National Historic Site dedicated to a first lady of the United States, Val-Kill was where Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt entertained friends, state visitors, the press, and their associates. It’s where Eleanor lived following FDR’s death while in office in 1945 until her own passing in 1962. Eleanor was a powerful political figure even after she left the White House. Appointed by President Truman to the United Nations General Assembly, she served as chair of the Human Rights Commission and worked tirelessly to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the General Assembly in 1948. Details about Eleanor’s romantic relationships were shrouded in ambiguity and were the source of many rumors while she was alive, but this much is known: Eleanor surrounded herself with members of the LGBTQ+ community. Partners Nancy Cook and Marion Dickerman built Val-Kill with Eleanor and lived there for three decades. Esther Lape and Elizabeth Read, also partners, played important roles in Eleanor’s political development and activism. Eleanor had a lengthy and intimate relationship with journalist Lorena Hickok; their extensive correspondence is now well-known. Take a tour of Val-Kill and learn more about these influential women. Click here for details.
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Wednesday, June 10, 6:35 p.m. at Heritage Financial Park, Wappingers Falls
Celebrate Pride Night with the Hudson Valley Renegades baseball team, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, as they take on the Jersey Shore Blue Claws in a South Atlantic League game. The theme of the night is "Baseball is for everyone" at Heritage Financial Park. To purchase tickets, click here.
Select Saturdays, May–October, at Edgewater, Barrytown
Built in 1824 as one of several extravagant riverfront estates constructed by the Livingston family, Edgewater holds a special place in queer history spanning from the 1950s, when writer Gore Vidal owned the home, through its transition as the home of Dick Jenrette and Bill Thompson, who remained lifelong committed partners. Tours are offered on select Saturdays from May through October. Click here to book a tour.
Multiple dates at Rock Steady Farm and Flowers, Millerton
Rock Steady Farm is a is a multi-racial, queer and trans-owned and operated cooperative vegetable farm rooted in social justice, food access, and farmer training. They're hosting several great workshops this summer:
• Working with Small Engines — Saturday, June 27, 1:30–6:30 p.m.
• Farmers' Gatorade: Fresh & Fermented Hydration — Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Build-It-Together Carpentry Workshop Series — Saturdays, Aug. 29, Sept. 12 and Sept. 26, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (three-part series)
Bard College, Marist University and Vassar College are all hotbeds of creative energy, and their annual performing arts festivals always feature unforgettable performances all summer long.
• SummerScape, Spiegeltent and Music Festival, Bard College, June 25–Aug. 16
• New York Stage and Film, Marist University, July 11–Aug. 3
• Powerhouse Theater, Vassar College, July 10–Aug. 2
Saturday, July 18, 4–10 p.m., at Barton Orchards, Poughquag
This popular annual event in Barton's 14,000-square-foot venue, "The Sound Garden," will feature world-class performers like Jan Sport, Loosey LaDuca, and Andrew Barret Cox with Apocalypse Noir. Electrifying dancers, a powerhouse live band, and top vocalists performing songs you love in ways you’ve never heard before — this is no ordinary Pride event! There will be a foam party, the Hey Girl-Hay Ride, local vendors, and more. Plus, back by popular demand: the Amateur Drag Contest. Think you've got what it takes? Step up and slay the stage. Click here for details and ticket options.
And who says Pride events can only happen in June? After all, LGBTQ+ Pride is a year-round thing. Be sure to check out these ongoing LGBTQ-friendly attractions here in Dutchess:
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Second Thursday of each month, 6 p.m. at the Gravity Vault, Poughkeepsie
Join fellow LGBTQIA+ climbers to meet, hang out and climb at the Gravity Vault! All experience levels welcome. To complete the required registration, click here.
Third Monday of each month at Happy Valley Arcade Bar, Beacon
Julie's Girls Club and Happy Valley Arcade Bar team up to present this queer speed-friending event. All gender identities and sexual orientations are welcome! This event is super introvert-friendly, and there will even be funny little icebreakers and name tags.
