On the sunny afternoon of June 16, Cherry Grove celebrated LGBT Pride with the 14th annual Pride Parade around downtown Cherry Grove. Denise Harbin, Paul Jablonski, Wendy Lewis, John Doyle and Tim Byars AKA Sabel Scities were the organizers.
Sherri Rase, carrying the American flag, led the parade. The Arts Project of Cherry Grove Board of Directors dressed in accordance with APCG’s “Around the World” theme for the season and sported exotic-looking robes. Homecoming Queen 2012 Robin Kradles joined them. The Cherry Grove Community Association officers carried “Save Our Community House” signs. Joan Van Ness and Homecoming Queen 2011 YaNeeda Dunes were there on behalf of the Dunes Fund and brought a sand dune and some dune fencing, in a red wagon, with them. The Cherry Grove Fire Department, headed by Chief Jill Navarra, was there in full force.
With same-sex marriage now legal in New York State, SallyAnn Piacentino, Linda Dickerman and Barbara Hirsch, Gay Nathan, Lyn Belensky, and Lynne Tunderman made up a rainbow bevy of Brides. Representing the Leather Community and marching behind the Leather Pride flag were 11 leathermen—an unprecedented turn-out for the contingent in the parade—and they were Mr. Fire Island Leather 2012 Mark Nayden and spouse Richard Kennedy and their friend Peter; Messrs. FI Leather 2001, this writer, and 2005 Joe Saporito; Ken and Mark and their friend John; Brian and Ray; and Aaron.
Denise, David Auxier, and Dale Lally came in marching band costume and billed themselves as the Cherry Grove Ragtag Band. Lee Sharmat, accompanied by Clara Bogetti, played her tuba. Todd Erickson was there with a wagon-load of flowers. Sybil Bruncheon carried her Camp Fire Island: Gay Youth Corps banner. Ken Woodhouse brought his Arcade Theater. Charity was a vision in pink and purple.
Top of the Bay staff looked elegant in black, some in top hat and black tie, and one in a tiara. Cherry’s Michael (Busted), Tim (Sabel), and Josh arrived smeared in blood. Dune Point’s theme was cherries and whipped cream—Petra, Rick, Nikki, and company gave out cherries and red leis and Mardi Gras beads, and sprayed people with shaving cream. Miss Fire Island 2012 Logan Hardcore wore her sash and tiara, her green lipstick matching her wig, and she, with Wendy Lewis and Ken Braun, represented the Ice Palace, Grove Hotel, and Island Breeze.
A number of people brought their dogs, gaily attired, with them.
A panel of judges, consisting of Denise, Michael Coffindaffer, and Richard Cooley awarded prizes to a number of the participants. Dune Point’s contribution was deemed Best Float and its members won Ice Palace drink chips. The Ragtag Band, Best Group, won a Floyd’s gift certificate. Landscaper and gardener Todd, named Best Individual, won an Island Breeze gift certificate. The Brides were judged Gayest! and were awarded a cake baked by Phil(omena) Stoehr. Brazilian Jerry, in an apron and a bright orange wig, wheeling his black Pomeranians in a stroller draped in a pink boa, was undeniably Most Colorful and won drink tickets and a bottle. Logan, the Most Green, ready to save our gay earth, won dinner at Top of the Bay. Cherry’s, Most Weird, won a pizza from Cherry Grove Pizzeria. Top of the Bay, Most Resourceful, won a Cherry’s gift certificate. Cathy and her Best Pet in Parade, Billy Bob, won a Grove Hotel pool pass and beach supplies.
Cherry Grove has been parading since 1999, when Paul and the late Amelia Migliaccio organized the first celebration. The first 13 took place on the day before the LGBT Pride March in New York City, commemorating the Stonewall Rebellion of June 1969. This year’s was the first to occur on the weekend before the march in Manhattan.