This is a contribution from a Swampscott High School student, as part of the Swampscott Tides Big Blue Student News selection. 

Story by Sasha Fafel

The Swampscott Recreational Department hosted its annual Town Pride Celebration on Saturday, June 13, on the Town Hall Lawn.

“It’s an important tradition because we have been doing it for many years and the community shows up,” said Recreational Department Director Charlotte Daher de Garcia. “For the first time, we have a makers’ area for LGBTQ artisans and organizations from surrounding areas like Lynn and Salem.”

Pride Month, which celebrates the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other LGBTQ+ communities, came to the Town Hall Lawn as Swampscott High School’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) emceed the event. The celebration featured a 5K run/walk along the Swampscott coastline, as well as local organizations and vendors. High schoolers Cam Tracy and Leo Blessman introduced supporting acts from the Drive Home Safe Band, Madam Zapple, Thread the Needle, and other student performers. 

“No matter how small the town is, keeping Swampscott informed on pride events and how people express themselves is so important,” said Tracy. 

Representatives from the North Shore Alliance for GLBTQ+ Youth (NAGLY), North Shore Pride, Foster MA and Swampscott Unites, Respects and Embraces (S.U.R.E.) Diversity attended the celebration. For many of the participating organizations, visibility was one of the event’s primary goals. Tables displayed LGBTQIA+ support resources, as well as informational guides and fun activities for younger audiences to engage in.

“We provide social-emotional, mental health, and group support. We cover the entire spectrum of the North Shore,” NAGLY Program Director Tony Leone told the Swampscott Tides. “The impact is daily: curving suicide, self-harm, and just a sense of community safety within uncertain times.”

The celebration also featured food and beverage vendors from across the North Shore, including East Regiment Beer Company, Granite Coast Brewing, Crepe de Jour and Uncle Joey’s Cannoli. 

Cookies and Pride-themed sherbet were donated by Market Basket, Periwinkle’s Food Shoppe, Pomona Cafe, Shubie’s, Stop & Shop and Sweet Java.