Chilltown Bears

I spent most of the day on Saturday at the Pride Festival volunteering as a Floater (no one specific job, helped out wherever was needed) but also got to enjoy it as a spectator along with Joe and Ryan. Couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day weather-wise. The turnout was great! Downtown along the riverside at Exchange Place in Jersey City is such a great venue too. Big wide open urban space with a backdrop of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline.

Saw lots of friends, and a few others I’ve noticed online on BEAR411 and such. The after-party at the Hard Grove Cafe was a blast too. I love that this pride event doesn’t take place in June – just before Labor Day, it’s a nice way to bring in the end of Summer. CARLOS

This week is Pride Week in Jersey City, organized by JCLGO for the 8th year in a row.  A series of events are scheduled, culminating in an outdoor festival at Exchange Place (on the Hudson River facing downtown Manhattan) on Saturday the 23rd.  On Saturday evening, the closing party will be held at Hard Grove Cafe, a popular bar and Cuban-fusion restaurant, where there’ll be partying and dancing on the streets.  I hope this great weather in the area makes an appearance here on Saturday!

City Hall, just down the block from us, was the site of a rainbow flag raising this past Monday to commemorate the week.  It was at 6pm and Joe wasn’t back from work yet, so our man-child Ryan joined me for the gathering and reception later in City Hall.  A couple of dozen people showed.  Some pictures above.  I walk by City Hall daily and have always admired its architecture, but had never been inside until Monday.  It has a beautiful historic look with a spectacular glass rotunda.  The council chambers are being restored (big fire in 1979, never fully restored until now,) and it too will be quite a sight. Read more »