Virginia Organizing Williamsburg Area Chapter

07/03/2026

A few video clips from last Saturday...

07/02/2026

💛🌈 THANK YOU, Williamsburg! 🌈💛

What an incredible day! The overwhelming feeling at Pride this year was pure JOY — and so much gratitude. People of all ages came out to celebrate together, and there was something for everyone. The smiles never stopped.

Beyond the music, the vendors, and the sunshine, what made this day truly special were the moments of connection. Strangers struck up conversations. Old friendships were strengthened. So many people found others who just get it.

None of it could have happened without our amazing volunteers, who dreamed up this event a year ago, planned every last detail, and turned a big empty field into a space for kindness, connection, and love. And to our sponsors and exhibitors who showed up with such joy on the big day, thank you for believing in this community and helping make it shine.

Here's Williamsburg Area Pride, by the numbers:
✨ 1,500 people came out to celebrate
✨ 39 sponsors, vendors, community organizations & food trucks
✨ 9 media mentions, including WHRO, WYDaily, & Virginia Gazette
✨ 1 incredible DJ, who kept the music (and the energy!) going all afternoon long

We're already looking forward to next year. But in the meantime, if you made a friend, joined a group, or found your people this weekend — keep that going. Reach out. Show up for each other. That's how we make sure Pride isn't just one day, but a community that lasts all year.

Thank you for building it with us. 🏳️‍🌈💫

07/02/2026

Thank you Kali Cawthon-Freels for this article on Good Faith Media!

"Virginia Organizing reports that this inaugural, family-friendly Williamsburg-Area festival drew more than 1,500 people, significantly exceeding the anticipated crowd.

Festival-goers enjoyed more than 35 local vendors, including artists, bookstores, face painting, food trucks, the local Free Mom Hugs chapter, a DJ, and even a “craft grove” where kids could play dress-up and make art with their families. Later that evening, attendees had the opportunity to attend an after-party at Virginia Beer Company, a local brewery.

As attendees learned that faith communities (many of which hosted vendor booths themselves) had a huge part in putting the event together, they mentioned how hope-giving and healing it was to see such a large number of religious groups supporting the event."

Read the full article:

A common theme among festival attendees was gratitude for not having to leave their own community to find a Pride event.

06/27/2026

Ready for the Pride after party? Meet us at The Virginia Beer Company!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DymVQud25/

Happy Saturday! We've got a great day on deck at both locations. ⤵️

➡️ In Visit Williamsburg, we're hosting Jessica's Lutong Bahay food truck for Summer 2026 World Cup Watch Parties @ VBC. Then we're welcoming EVERYONE in after the 'Burg's first-ever Pride celebration ~and~ Damian Allen will be bringing down the brewery from 6-9 pm!

➡️ In Visit Yorktown, we're rolling out a brand new Summer Menu with some refreshing warm weather additions. A Wedge Salad, a BLT, new Beer Brat, Fried Cauliflower Bites...and don't sleep on this weekend's special: Crab & Shrimp Ceviche! The perfect pairing for Liquid Escape Lemongrass Ale, now on tap at the brewpub.

No matter the VBC location, ALL are welcome and we can't wait to welcome you soon! 🫶🥂

06/27/2026

Pride is officially underway! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

06/26/2026

Thank you so much to our lovely sponsors for helping us bring the Williamsburg Area Pride Festival to life!

06/26/2026

Tomorrow is the day, Williamsburg. 🌈

Come spend Saturday afternoon with us at the Williamsburg Area Pride Festival. It will be a beautiful day for community, hanging out with friends and family, and meeting new people too!

🗓️ Saturday, June 27 · 12–5 PM
📍 Jamestown Beach Event Park, 2205 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg, VA

There's something for everyone — come enjoy DJ music, dancing, and karaoke; a dress-up photo booth; kids' crafts and a play area; drop-in lawn games; food trucks and local vendors; and tents from LGBTQ+ community organizations who are here to connect and celebrate with you.

After the festival, keep the celebration going at the Virginia Beer Company (401 Second St) for an 18+ after-party from 5 PM to close.

Share this post so no one misses it — see you tomorrow. 💛

06/25/2026

Kali Cawthon-Freels, Jude Geiger, and Raegan Collier were recently interviewed about this weekend's Pride events by James W. Robinson of The Virginia Gazette:

"Raegan Collier of Virginia Organizing said the event provides an opportunity for LGBTQ+ community members to connect. As a trans woman, she said it’s important to help present an option for people looking to meet. Collier said she and organizers want the festival to have staying power in the Greater Williamsburg area.

“Even without having the festival, I am very, very happy seeing my community make something for us to enjoy,” Collier said.

Each hope that visitors will take away joy and good memories from the festival while understanding that Williamsburg is a place where they can belong."

📰 Full article: https://www.dailypress.com/2026/06/24/williamsburg-area-pride-festival/

06/24/2026

At this year's Williamsburg Area Pride Festival, you'll find tents from some of the most dedicated LGBTQ+ organizations in Williamsburg and across Virginia, people doing real work to support, protect, and celebrate our community every day:

❤️ Diverse Hampton Roads supports businesses and nonprofits in Hampton Roads that are owned or led by minorities, women, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and disabled entrepreneurs.

💛 Equality Virginia advocates and organizes across Virginia to build a future where all Le***an, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Q***r, and broader spectrum of people (LGBTQIA+) thrive.

💚 He She Ze and We support Trans people by empowering families and communities to create inclusive environments.

💙 Free Mom Hugs- Virginia empowers the world to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community through visibility, education, and conversation.

💜 LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia presents issues and acts as an advocate for LGBT+ persons within the Democratic Party of Virginia.

Stop by, say hello, learn what they're up to, and connect with folks who get it. This is exactly what Pride is for. 💛

June 27 · 12–5 PM · Jamestown Beach Event Park · Free

06/23/2026

The Williamsburg faith community has been an integral part of this year's Pride including planning committee, volunteers, sponsors and exhibitors. The Rev. Lisa Green, rector at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, recently wrote in an op-ed for The Daily Press:

"The LGBTQ+ people I have been blessed to know throughout my life — in school, at work, in congregations and community groups, as pastors, leaders and friends — these beloveds have taught me so much about authenticity, integrity, faithfulness, courage, perseverance and love. Because of their witness, I have grown in my understanding of God’s creativity, diversity and expansive welcome of all people. Their patience, forgiveness and friendship have guided me through times of loss and painful transformation and made my journey and ministry possible."

📰 Full article: https://www.dailypress.com/2026/05/31/faith-values-pride-month-makes-room-for-a-bigger-and-brighter-world/

Local religious organizations sponsoring or exhibiting at the Saturday, June 27 Pride include:

⭐ Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists
⭐ Williamsburg Baptist Church
⭐ Greater Good Group of Williamsburg United Methodist Church
⭐ St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
⭐ St. Stephen Lutheran Church
⭐ Temple Beth El

On Sunday June 28, Historic Area Religions Together (HART) will also host a Multifaith Pride service in solidarity with the festival at 2:30 p.m. at the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists.