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 7, 1 p.m. at Thomases Equestrian, Clinton Corners
• Poughkeepsie Pride Parade and Festival — Saturday, June 14, 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, May (opening date TBA) through October, 9:30 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.
Tuesday, June 17, 6 p.m. at Oblong Books, Rhinebeck
Oblong Books' Frederick Rossero talks with author Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian about her thrilling new book, "Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature," which explores the abounding queerness of the natural world that challenges our expectations of what is normal, beautiful, and possible. Click here to complete the required registration for this free event.
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Wednesday, June 11, 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 Greenville Drive in a South Atlantic League game. The theme of the night is "Baseball is for everyone" at Heritage Financial Park (formerly Dutchess Stadium). As this event falls on a Wine Wednesday at the ballpark, you can celebrate with $5 Benmarl Wine drafts at the Benmarl Wine Bar. To purchase tickets, click here.
Every Saturday in June, 1 p.m., 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 every Saturday in June, July and August, as well as May 17, Sept. 20 and Oct. 18. Click here to book a tour. Also in June, July and August, the grounds will be open to visit at no cost from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. (reservations are required). Grounds admission does not include a tour of the house. Click here if you would like to visit the grounds.
June 20–Aug. 18 at the Fisher Center, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson
Bard College is a hotbed of creative energy, and its 20th-annual SummerScape Festival will feature two months of unforgettable performances the Fisher Center and the adjacent Spiegeltent. This summer's star-studded group of performers includes nightlife legend Susanne Bartsch, who returns for a seventh season with her risque cabaret; Rod Thomas, whose stage name, Bright Light Bright Light, was derived from the 1984 film "Gremlins," and whose fifth studio album, "Enjoy Youth," was released in 2024; and performance artist Adrienne Truscott, who returns to the Spiegeltent as the one and lonely Paige Trnr, the forgotten cabaret legend and figment of her own imagination. To see a complete schedule of this summer's performances and to purchase tickets, click here.
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June 13–15 at Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Rhinebeck
Omega Institute is a unique educational retreat center that offers workshops, professional training, and rest and rejuvenation retreats. Omega's all-inclusive stays include farm-to-table meals and access to all sorts of health and wellness classes, outdoor activities, gardens, nature trails, a lakeside waterfront and so much more. Find joyful empowerment within a welcoming and inclusive community during this weekend retreat! Click here to register.
Saturday, July 19, at Barton Orchards, Poughquag
Festivities in Barton Orchards’ 14,000-square-foot event venue, “The Monster,” will once again include drag performances, lots of fun activities and entertainment, craft vendors and more, along with delicious food, ice cream and ice-cold beverages from the Tap Room. New this year will be a fashion show highlighting the talents of local designers. Barton Orchards is one of the Hudson Valley’s premier locations to pick your own fruits and vegetables. Harvest festivals are held most weekends from late August through early November featuring hayrides, a corn maze, live music, a dog park and so much more.
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.
Every other Friday, 6 p.m. at Megabrain Comics, Red Hook
This is a free, all-ages LGBTQIA+ community meet-up in a sober safe space where you can play board games and have fun! Play one of the many games in the game library or bring one of your favorites to share. All are welcome. Click here to see the schedule.
