Exit 82 Theatre Company To Host 3rd Annual ‘Toms River Pride’ Festival Celebrating LGBTQ+ Community on Sunday, June 13th

April 20, 2021, 5:29 pm | in

Supporters Encouraged to Make Inaugural ‘Pride Advocate Award’ Nominations and Participate in ‘Pride Month Rainbow Visibility Campaign’

TOMS RIVER, NJ, April 20, 2021 – Premiere cultural and performing arts center Exit 82 Theatre Company will host Ocean County’s 3rd annual Toms River Pride Festival on Sunday, June 13th with local partners. Celebrating the Jersey Shore’s growing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/ally, two-spirit, plus (LGBTQIA2S+) community, the COVID-19 compliant event will take place on Washington Street between Main Street and Hooper Avenue in Toms River’s Downtown District from 11:00AM to 5:00PM, with live performances happening outdoors and at Exit 82 Theatre throughout the day. A drag show fundraiser to benefit Toms River Pride is scheduled for the evening of Saturday, June 12th, with details to follow.

“As an Ocean County LGBTQ+ safe space, we’re proud that Toms River Pride has been embraced as a new, inclusive tradition in which all can partake,” stated event organizers and Exit 82 Theatre Company founders Billy Cardone and Keely Davenport. “With the privilege to celebrate comes a reminder that there is still work to be done to make our society more inclusive, like ensuring our transgender and POC brethren are protected and valued.”

This year’s program includes the opening ceremony announcement of the inaugural Pride Advocate Award that, through a public nomination process, acknowledges New Jersey’s most impactful LGBTQ+ advocates and allies in our community. Throughout the day, the event will feature live entertainment and drag shows, family-friendly activities, partner activations, educational resources, and promotions by local businesses and restaurants Downtown and across the county. Supporters are encouraged to participate in a Pride Month Visibility Campaign by displaying rainbow colors at home and on businesses, vehicles, boats and outfits for the month of June. On the evening before Pride, Saturday, June 12th, Exit 82 Theatre is scheduled to host a drag show fundraiser, with details to follow on how to get involved.

To participate in Toms River Pride, attend with friends and family, become an official Pride Partner, Vendor or Sponsor, host a fundraiser or volunteer, make a Pride Advocate Award nomination, follow the @TomsRiverPride Facebook page for updates, join remotely via live-streamed shows, and make a donation to 501(c)(3) host organization, Downtown arts hub and Ocean County LGBTQ+ Safe Space Exit 82 Theatre. All participants must comply with the State of New Jersey’s COVID-19 guidelines.

Established in 2009, Exit 82 Theatre Company has brought arts and culture back to Toms River and helped revive the Downtown Business District. To date, it has produced more than 35 productions and taught over 500 students through its CAPAA Academy for arts education. Exit 82 Theatre has hosted Toms River Pride since 2019, marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

For more information including Pride programming, tickets, partnership opportunities and how to get involved, visit Exit 82 Theatre Company’s website at https://www.exit82theatre.com/shows-events. For event updates, follow the @TomsRiverPride Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TomsRiverPride.

Program (Stay Tuned for Updates)

11:00 AM Opening Ceremony

11:30 AM Festival Opens

4:00 PM Drag Shows

5:00 PM Festival Closes

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Exit 82 Theatre Company To Host 3rd Annual ‘Toms River Pride’ Festival Celebrating LGBTQ+ Community on Sunday, June 13th

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