A large motorcycle group passing by the HerndonPRIDE event enthusiastically waves and gives event goers thumbs up, creating a sense of community between them.
The second annual HerndonPRIDE, presented by Arts Herndon and Sacred Roller Skates Supply in association with Capital Pride Alliance, may best be summed up by a 7-year-old named Andy.
“What I liked about the Pride Festival is that everyone got to be their own person. I think everyone liked it because it celebrated love when there is a lot of hate going on in other places,” Andy said.
The first segment of the two-part event, Rolling Pride, featured an indoor, open-air community roller skating party with DJ music and live drumming, keeping the crowd energized from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 28. “We created a brand-new stage and opened up an area of the building that was previously unusable — all on a volunteer basis. It was amazing,“ volunteer Demeter Caposalis said.
During the week before the event, organizers and volunteers removed a non-load-bearing partition in the concrete-floored space, a former storage area that lacked air conditioning. On the day of PRIDE, they opened the two commercial-sized roll-up garage doors, which for the first time were visible on opposite sides of the building. Removing the wall created a wide central breezeway, similar to those found in old southern homes with dogtrot architecture. One door opened to the expansive north lawn with open views to the W&OD Trail, and the other door opened to the south-side parking lot, where young and old could browse the tented vendor, food, drink and activity booths, and enjoy icy mocktails as well as take part in a community hands-on mosaic with Mizz Mosaic.
“Running the t-shirt table, I got to hear from many people about how glad they were that the event was going so well and how grateful they were to Arts Herndon for making it happen,” Sage Kerr said. “It's wonderful to see everyone joyful and proud, and I'm happy I was there to help."
The Critter Carnival, DJ music and live drumming kept the crowd fully engaged until 5 p.m. Stacey LaRoy, a member of Herndon Friends Meeting, said that those in support of the LGBTQIA+ community, enjoyed the fun atmosphere with "music, skating, freebies, and lots of local art being offered, created and displayed."
A two-hour dinner break allowed guests to support local restaurant businesses one block away and attend the evening show on the Town Green from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring “Night of the Vampire 1," a metal night by Arts Herndon DIY.
Supervisor James Bierman (D-Dranesville District) delivered remarks during the roller party and later wrote, “It's so great to see our corner of the county come together to affirm and support the LGBTQ+ community in June and every month.”
Katie McDonald, owner of Sacred Roller Skate Supply, said they couldn’t have pulled off the event without Bierman’s support, and she knew that he meant every word of encouragement he spoke to the community on stage.
McDonald described co-hosting Herndon Pride with Jo Ormesher, the CEO and president of Arts Herndon, as the "absolute best time. … It was super DIY and community-focused, and our communities came together to make an incredible event from the ground up,” she said.. "As a queer-owned and operated business, we felt so supported by the vibrant residents of Herndon and made so many new connections with people and businesses who share our same core values,” McDonald said.
Ormesher reported that 1,500 people attended the HerndonPRIDE events. “To all the people who helped me work on this project, from obtaining the permits to managing pets and everything in between, thank you. Brilliant." Bierman, the Reston Art Gallery & Studio, Patricia and Steve McIntyre, sponsored HerndonPRIDE.
Demeter Capisalis shared his opinion statement and a dire forecast warning with The Connection. “The town is unfortunately starving Arts Herndon out of its residence at 750 Center Street. Jo Ormesher should be celebrated and supported as a bastion of our community. But the current council is aiming for profitable redevelopment over investment in our vibrant community, as it is. If the council sees this through, we will lose our beloved Arts Herndon.”
Capisalis’ statement references the ongoing property deed dispute between the Town of Herndon and developer Comstock Herndon Venture LC. The nonprofit group Arts Herndon is entangled in the conflict between the developer and the local government because it occupies property within the boundaries of the broader contested property.