Big Gay Hudson Valley’s 8th annual summer community pride picnic is back! We’ll be returning to the fabulous grounds of the historic Locust Grove Estate with the biggest and gayest BYO picnic of the summer season. Pack a basket and spend the day enjoying live entertainment, family activities, lawn games, picnicscape competitions, community groups and so much more.

BYO Picnic

Ready your favorite blankets and pack up your basket for the most fabulous picnic of the summer. Creativity, uniqueness, noms and tastiness are all encouraged as you set up the ultimate al fresco spread. As always this event is 100% BYO. We will not have a bar or food vendors set up on site, so be sure to pack everything you’d like to enjoy. Alcoholic beverages are permitted (and encouraged) for those 21 and over. Small, tabletop propane barbecues and sterno warmers are permitted, otherwise no open flames, please.

This year some special guest judges will be giving out prizes for Best Picnicscape (i.e. your fabulous picnic spread) in the following categories:

• Best Food & Drink Display
• Best Queen-Inspired Theme
• Best Use of a Picnic Blanket

The entire family is invited to join, please just keep any dogs on leashes and be a considerate neighbor and clean up after your pet.

Entertainment + Community

Some fabulous picnicking music will be served up by Rosendale’s DJ Ali G as she spins vintage vinyl beats live from the gardens of Locust Grove. Once the sun goes down, come inside Locust Grove’s spectacular gallery and dance to the vinyl stylings of DjSquirrelsuit (who many of you may know from his Kingston-based Homo Disco parties). 

Working with our friends at Poughkeepsie Farm Project, we’ll have some family-friendly crafts and activities that kids of all ages will be able to make & take home.

Enjoy tons of live performances from local drag sensations Avi Munster, Pinky Socrates and Valkyrie Hail. Hudson’s own Trixie Starr will also be on hand with tons of prizes to be won by contestants playing in her rendition of the classic game show, Match Game.

We’ll also be joined by a variety of local and regional not-for-profit organizations and community groups who will be on hand to tell you more about what they do for our community and how you can get involved with their efforts.

Cover for the Queen City Pride Picnic is $10 person (kids under 14 are free).