Bolingbrook Pride Picnic and Puppies to celebrate families, diversity, and inclusion on July 8
The anticipation is building as the city gears up for the highly anticipated 2023 Bolingbrook Pride Picnic and Puppies, a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and love.
This vibrant event, organized by the Bolingbrook Pride Organization, promises an unforgettable experience filled with joy, solidarity, and community spirit. The picnic will take place on Saturday, July 8, from noon to 8 p.m. at Bolingbrook Town Center, 375 W. Briarcliff Road. It is open to people of all ages, backgrounds, and orientations as well as their well-behaved dogs on leads.
The 2023 Bolingbrook Pride Picnic aims to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone to come together for a day of fun. Enter through the tunnel adorned with the brand new mosaic welcoming guests in 27 languages.
The 2023 Bolingbrook Pride Picnic and Puppies event is made possible through the support of generous sponsors, volunteers, and community partners who share the organization's vision of a more inclusive world.
"The 2023 Bolingbrook Pride Picnic is a celebration of love, acceptance, and progress," said Allaina Humphreys, the event organizer. "We are thrilled to unite our community and create a space where everyone feels valued, celebrated, and supported. This year's event is, once again, about bringing the whole community together to play, eat, and learn that we have so much in common.
In addition to free activities like face painting, photo booth, bounce house, Bookmobile, and balloon art, attendees will have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the community. Participate in an onsite community art piece celebrating the colors of diversity. Cuddle up with dogs available for adoption from Paws Up 4 Rescue when you donate money or essential supplies. Afterward, grab a bite from available food trucks and indulge in Ben and Jerry's ice cream (vegan flavors available!), then explore local businesses and community organizations, including many LGBTQ+-owned companies run by local entrepreneurs featuring creations by makers, craftspeople, and fine artists. Attendees can make an even more significant impact in the community when they bring gender-neutral or masculine clothing in sizes XS-S and 1X-3X and binders to donate to the clothing swap (a free clothing closet for those in transition and others needing items). Anyone in need of clothing (whether or not they identify as LGBTQ+) is encouraged to come to take advantage of the closet as well.
Most excitingly, Bolingbrook Pride is offering free wedding services at the picnic for those who want or need a stand-in family to celebrate their union. Limited spots available, license and pre-registration required at bit.ly/BBP-Wedding.
"We want to ensure everyone can fully participate in the festivities," emphasized Humphreys, who is marking 30 years post spinal cord injury just six days after this event. "Accessibility and inclusivity are paramount to us, and we have taken every measure to make the event welcoming and accommodating for all attendees." As such, the event will provide accessible facilities, including wheelchair ramps, indoor accessible bathrooms, and blacktop path access to all vendors and activities.
Tickets for the 2023 Bolingbrook Pride Picnic and Puppies are available now on Eventbrite at 2023_bbpridepicnic.eventbrite.com.
Registration is free, but sign up early to ensure access to this highly attended event. Picnic attendees who donate or bring diapers or non-perishable food donations will get a free rainbow swag bag! Follow Bolingbrook Pride on social media to stay updated with the latest event news, announcements, and highlights.
About Bolingbrook Pride:
Through events, advocacy, education, and support programs, Bolingbrook Pride's 100% volunteer staff works tirelessly to create a more inclusive society where everyone can live authentically and with Pride.
In June 2018, Bolingbrook Pride was the first Illinois organization to do this revolutionary type of family Pride celebration that showcases similarities rather than differences to organically increase acceptance and reduce fear. They are proud to create safe spaces, not only for the LGBTQ+ community but for those with questions to come and ask them without judgment.
What do Puppies have to do with Pride?
Dogs can teach us that acceptance should not be conditional but rather a reflection of our inherent capacity for empathy and compassion. They exhibit a remarkable ability to offer affection without reservation or judgment. Their lessons in acceptance serve as a powerful reminder of the kind of inclusive world we can create if we choose to embody their pure and unfiltered love. That is why this event has included a dog rescue from its inception.