Ramapo College’s seventh annual Pridefest took place on Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Grove. The Grove was filled with colorful tables and smiling faces of students showing off their pride.
Students flocked to the grove to meet new people and visit tables with various activities and goodies. Many students were seen in outfits showing off their flags, with many featuring pins and jewelry displaying the different LGBTQ+ flags and pronouns.
WRPR provided live music for the event, featuring some great queer icons, such as new star, Chappell Roan. They also assisted the drag queen, Vinchelle, as she performed, playing songs like “It’s Raining Men,” and “The Way.” She even invited students to the stage for a lip-syncing competition, including the President of the Ramapo Pride Club, Jai Collucci.
Winners were determined based on the level of applause, which she jokingly claimed to be herself. Vinchelle was met with enthusiasm and cheers as she engaged the crowd for the half-hour she performed. People rushed into line to take photos with her once her act ended.
The Women’s Center, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, organized the event. Women’s Center volunteers set up and took down the tables and decorations, including the rainbow arch. They had numerous tables: the student drag show, LGBTQ+ discussion groups, the Polaroid camera table and the Women’s Center 50th birthday table.
The drag table did make up for students, the discussion groups promoted their conversational meetings and the Women’s Center’s 50th-anniversary table contained pictures throughout the years, balloons, tassels and candy. Pridefest tables also offered queer flag and pin giveaways while asking trivia questions to win a rainbow fan and a table with baskets of cool items students could win through raffles. Many tables also offered candy, pastries and other treats to entice students.
Numerous guest tables were also set up from outside the college. Alternatives to Domestic Violence, Equality Mental Health, Greater Bergen Community Action, Mahwah Pride Coalition and the Women’s Rights Information Center joined the center for Pridefest. They worked closely with the Women’s Center to get involved and spread awareness and acceptance to Ramapo students.
First year, Megan Sowinski, helped out through the Women’s Center by running the trivia and flag giveaway table. In an interview with The Ramapo News Sowinski stated that, “Pridefest is a great way to show support and provide resources for LGBTQ+ students on campus and I’m glad I got to participate in such an uplifting event!”
Echo Rooney, a first year in attendance, considered Pridefest, “really fun,” adding that they “liked getting to go to the library table and check out books with queer characters.”
Overall, this event seems to be a crucial tradition that will continue for years here at Ramapo. To paraphrase Vinchelle, Pride is every day! Always be true to yourself and proud of your accomplishments, because you’ll never be truly happy until you embrace your true self and live as such.
jamabil3@ramapo.edu
Featured photo by Jessica Amabile
