With spirits undampened, despite the rain that curtailed the route, Cherry Grove held its 17th annual Pride Parade, around downtown Cherry Grove, on June 20. Sweet Licks ice cream parlor’s Linda D’Ancona was the coordinator. Sybil Bruncheon announced the contingents as they approached Sweet Licks.
Leading the parade were Sherri Rase, carrying the American flag, and the Dykes on Bikes, a Grove variation on the group on motorcycles that leads the LGBT Pride March in New York City, as here the women rode Jazzies (Jazzy Power Chairs). Organizations represented were the Arts Project of Cherry Grove, with Homecoming Queen Demi-Tasse on her throne, and President Thom “Panzi” Hansen; the Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc., led by President Diane Romano; the Cherry Grove Fire Department, led by Fire Chief Steve Williams; the Dunes Fund; and the Cherry Grove Garden Club. There was a Leather contingent, carrying the red, white, black, and blue Leather Pride flag and made up of Messrs. Fire Island Leather, present and past.
Businesses represented were Dune Point, Belvedere, the Ice Palace and the Underwear Party, Top of the Bay restaurant, and Cherry Grove Pizzeria.