After Oneida County Pride Festival, Community Building Continues
CLINTON, New York – Hundreds of attendees from across Central New York gathered at the Clinton
Arena for the Oneida County Pride Festival on June 6th, filling the arena with sounds of music,
performance numbers, and excited conversations as attendees made connections with community
resources, local vendors, and other community members. Speaking to the festival’s theme, Community Is
A Verb, Oneida County Pride Alliance (OCPA) President and Founder Ace Morreale reminded the crowd
that “Community doesn’t just happen. You can’t just go out and find your people like that. You really have
to build it.”
To keep the momentum going and continue building that community, OCPA has several events scheduled
through the rest of June. Even after a full start to the month, including the Pride Festival, afterparty, film
screenings, and more, there’s still a chance to attend some great events before the end of Pride Month
this year!
● On June 26th at 6pm, join OCPA at the Rome Historical Society for a presentation on the history
and significance of the 1969 Stonewall Riots. We will commemorate this important event in
LGBTQIA+ history and honor those who paved the way for the contemporary LGBTQ+ civil rights
movement
● On June 27th, OCPA is partnering with Munson for Munson After Dark: The Art of Drag. Starting
at 9pm and featuring a live drag and burlesque show and cash bar, the night will be a celebration
of the beauty and art of drag. This event is open to ages 21+ and tickets are available at
https://www.munson.art/munson-after-dark-the-art-of-drag ($20 for the general public, $15 for
Munson members, or $10 for students).
Even after Pride Month ends, OCPA’s community events continue every month of the year. For updates,
about upcoming events or more ways to get involved, check out OCPA’s website, visit Oneida County
Pride Alliance on Facebook, Instagram, or BlueSky, or contact us at info@oneidacountypridealliance.org.
About OCPA:
The Oneida County Pride Alliance (OCPA) is a local non-profit organization that connects, supports, and
empowers the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies in Oneida County by addressing community needs,
providing information about and access to resources, and coordinating both an annual Pride Celebration
and programs throughout the year.
