Town to celebrate pride with art, flag raising, tea dance

To kick off Pride Month in June, Marblehead businesses

Creative Spirit and MacRae’s Sustainable Goods will host a public reception on Friday, June 2, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., for the opening of their next non-juried art exhibit, “Love Wins.” The reception will be held at MacRae’s Sustainable Goods,108 Washington St. Learn more and register artwork at creativespiritma.com.

On Saturday, June 3, at 3 p.m., the town of Marblehead will celebrate Pride Month with its fifth annual flag raising celebrate at the Pride

Bike bus

From P. A1 first-grader Griffin Cohn added, “I like to bike with my friends.” Parents are definitely on board, too.

“West Shore traffic is horrible,” said Coralie Osborne, Sadie’s mom. “We get to school faster this way, and it’s more environmentally friendly. Everyone is happier.”

Griffin’s mom, Lindsay Almeida, added, “It’s a great way for the kids to be independent. It feels super safe.”

Fleming likes that his son, Charlie, 6, and other kids are learning how to ride safely.

“Some of the roads around here are less hospitable than others,” he said. “Riding in the numbers we do makes it safer.”

Liz Wells was riding with her three sons, ages 4, 7 and 8.

“It’s a great way to start the day,” she said. “As a mother of three active boys, I like that this really gets their wiggles out.” ceremony on the lawn of Abbot Hall. The ceremony is produced by a small, grass-roots committee of local volunteers and the town. The event is open to the public and will feature speakers including town officials, clergy, youth and members of Marblehead’s LGBTQ+ community. The ceremony is supported by North Shore Pride (northshorepride.org).

This school year, the Marblehead Bike Bus ran in the fall and spring, but Fleming says it’s certainly possible to bike to school year-round with the right equipment.

To learn more about the Marblehead Bike Bus, visit loom.ly/-QdDmUY to fill out an interest form.

On Sunday June 4, starting at 4 p.m., The Beacon Restaurant and Bar, 123 Pleasant St., will host its second annual Marblehead Pride

Party, in the style of a tea dance. Festivities will include hors d’oeuvres and sweets, a disco DJ and dancing. Learn more at thebeaconmarblehead.com.

“This year’s Marblehead pride theme is ‘Joy in Community,’ inviting people to consider what creates a safe, free and kind place to live, work, create and relate as a society of unique and diverse individuals,” said local artist and Creative Spirit owner Peyton Pugmire. “This theme also reminds us that when we are joyfully ourselves, we inspire others to be the same.”