Hundreds of people, many wearing the colors of the rainbow or waving rainbow flags, lined Haddon Avenue in Haddon Township on Thursday night for Haddon Township’s second annual PRIDE Parade.
The parade featured performers Aunt Mary Pat, RuPaul’s Drag Race and Haddon Township High School alum Ariel Versace, and Professor Umbridge, as well as marching bands, a baton twirler, cheerleaders from Philly Pride, and other entertainment acts.
Anjali Power Yoga participates in Haddon Township’s Pride Parade on Haddon Ave, Thursday, June 9, 2022.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media
Also marching in the parade were students from Clearview Regional High School’s LGBTQ+/Straight Alliance, members of the Camden County Collaborative GSA, Somerdale Pride and Camden County Pride, as well as employees with Cooper’s Center for LGBTQ+ Health, Jefferson Health, Starbucks, and Anjali Power Yoga.
Supporters helped spread messages of love and hope, carrying signs reading, “Be kind” and “proud ally, you are beautiful just as you are.”
Girl Scouts from Troop 30716 walked with hand-drawn signs saying “You are perfect” and large colorful letters spelling “L-O-V-E.”
And it wasn’t just people marching in the parade. Several people dressed up their dogs to show their support — and there were even a few chickens.
Haddon Township Pride Parade on Haddon Ave, Thursday, June 9, 2022.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media
Haddon Township, in close collaboration with the Haddon Township Equity Initiative (HTEI), hosted the PRIDE parade and festivities in celebration and support of its LGBTQIA+ community.
The parade and after party kicked off PRIDE weekend in the township, with events continuing through Saturday. PRIDE Fest — featuring local art, food, live entertainment, kids crafts, and more, as well as a Drag Queen Story Hour — concludes the celebration on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at the SoHa Arts Building.
For more images, click on the Haddon Township Pride parade photo gallery below.
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Lori M. Nichols may be reached at lnichols@njadvancemedia.com.
