By Riley Fontana
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Westwood celebrated its second-ever Pride on Sunday, June 9, 2024. Hosted at the gazebo and lawn at the Council on Aging, this family-friendly event showcased the love in Westwood. This one day event acted as a microcosm for the month long celebration of Pride during the month of June.
The event was filled with love and music as people mingled on the grass. It started just as the rain finished and the sky cleared, providing the best weather imaginable for Pride. The grass was packed with people of all ages celebrating what Pride means to them.
Volunteers offered face painting, henna, gel tattoos, and balloon animals, attracting younger audiences and giving kids a way to engage with the event. Lawn games and bubbles were set up for children to play with as well. These amenities were offered to everyone, and many adults participated in getting their faces painted too.
Stalls were set up with crafts for bracelet making, banner coloring, Pride flag decorating, and rock painting. These crafts were open to all ages, allowing for creative fun in the space. Everyone took part in creative outlets to share their pride with those around them.
Members of different organizations attended as well. The Westwood Library shared children's books themed around Pride. OUT MetroWest shared its programs for people of all ages, and Westwood Youth and Family Services offered support and resources for anyone who needed them.
During breaks from live music, Westwood youth poet laureate Lucie Scheler shared a few of her poems with the crowd and then offered the mic to anyone in the audience who wanted to share. A few people offered their personal and moving poems about Pride to the audience. During another break, one group performed an improv set, engaging the audience by calling for their suggestions.
Westwood Pride demonstrated the love packed into the town. Countless people showed up to support and celebrate Pride with each other and turn strangers into friends. The day was filled with sunshine and laughter, leaving everyone excited for next year's Pride celebration.
