The Town of Norwood is hosting the town’s 3rd Annual Pride Picnic on the Norwood Town Common on Thursday, June 1, 5-7 pm. This event is bring your own, so feel free to enjoy a picnic, blanket, chairs, and whatever else you’ll need to prepare for comfort and weather. Everyone is advised to dress comfortably and colorfully for this fun, casual picnic with neighbors. This is a drop-in event and no registration is required.

Norwood’s Pride Picnic marks the beginning of Pride Month, a month dedicated to celebrating and honoring LGBTQ+ history and culture with parades and other events around the country. These annual events, gatherings, and parties grew out of the Gay Liberation Movement following the Stonewall riots in 1969. Modern Pride events seek to celebrate, center, and affirm the experiences, contributions, and identities of LGBTQ+ people the world over.

“We’re so excited for this year’s Pride Picnic,” Library Director Clayton Cheever said. “The library’s table will have lawn games, free swag, and of course books! We’ve been able to make so many positive connections with residents at previous Pride Picnics. Community-driven events like this only fuel our commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community throughout the year, not just for Pride Month in June.”

Spearheaded by Progress Norwood and proudly sponsored by the Town of Norwood and the Morrill Memorial Library, this year’s Pride Picnic is supported by a rainbow of other town departments and local organizations, including the Norwood Police Department, Norwood Health Department, the Norwood Council on Aging, Friends of Norwood Center, Norwood Historical Society, Black Norwood, League of Women Voters, and Norwood Juneteenth.

The Norwood Police Department will be selling rainbow NPD patches, with all proceeds going to support the Trevor Project, which provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ+ young people. Progress Norwood will also have Norwood Pride lawn signs available for $10 each.