Feel free to just be… in Westchester County During WorldPride 2019

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – May 28, 2019 – Just a short train or car ride from WorldPride festivities, which come to New York City for the first time in June, New York’s Westchester County provides a unique getaway for Pride travelers looking to make the most of their trip. With picturesque landscapes, festive events and an abundance of family-friendly activities, the County is a delightful contrast for travelers seeking the best of both city and country life during their WorldPride experience.

Reflecting on the celebrations, Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Here in Westchester, all are welcome. We have used WorldPride as an opportunity to offer hospitality training to help our travel and tourism providers be the most gracious of hosts, not only for the visitors we’ll see during WorldPride 2019, but also on an ongoing basis. I am proud to kick off a month-long celebration of WorldPride in Westchester County.”

June Pride celebrations in Westchester County include:

• Ossining LGBTQ Alliance will celebrate the kick-off of WorldPride at Sing Sing Kill Brewery with a Pride Kick-off Party on June 1, featuring a drag variety show hosted by Bella Biscotti with Angel Elektra and Shay D’Pines. The brewery will pour their signature Pride beer and cocktails, available for the month of June.
• Hudson River Museum kicks off Pride Month on June 1 from 6-9 p.m. with a concert reading of Doric Wilson’s 1981 play, Street Theater – the signature production of The Other Side of Silence, NYC’s longest running LGBTQ+ theater company – which focuses on the 90-minutes prior to the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969.
• Westchester Pride Festival takes place on Court Street in White Plains on Sunday, June 2, from 12-5 p.m. This free, family-friendly event features entertainment, raffles, a bounce house and face painting, great vendors and fun activities for all ages. Of note: a workshop on the art of runway walking by runway artist Twiggy Pucci Garçon is planned at ArtsWestchester, and participants will get a chance to demonstrate their newfound skills on the outdoor Pride Festival stage thereafter.
• Yonkers Pride Festival marks the city’s second annual LGBTQ+ PRIDE celebration, this year held June 7-8. The outdoor festival consists of fun events, celebrity entertainment, food, activities, and community groups. The theme of the festival is “50 Down - Forever to Go!”
• Peekskill Pride and Dramatic Hall presents a celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride on June 14. The packed evening of entertainment will be headlined by comedian Julia Scotti from America's Got Talent, who was named one of the "Top 50 Successful Transgender Americans You Should Know” by LGBTQ Nation.
• New Rochelle Pride hosts a Sunset Pride Cruise on June 22, departing from Neptune Park. The evening cruise to lower Manhattan will feature food, drink and entertainment, and all ticket sale proceeds benefit New Rochelle Pride events and programming. 

Westchester County hotels have rolled out the welcome mat with packages and offers. For example:

• The Pride & Joy Couples Package at Renaissance Westchester Hotel in West Harrison affords a romantic getaway during WorldPride month with breakfast for two in the Hive Living Room + Bar,  champagne and truffles delivered in-room upon arrival, complimentary turndown service, and late check-out. The package is valid Sunday – Thursday.
• The Hilton Garden Inn Westchester Dobbs Ferry is offering a 10 percent discount to visitors throughout the month of June to celebrate WorldPride. Guests will also enjoy a hot breakfast with their stay. When booking online, use code PRIDE.
• In celebration of WorldPride, Crowne Plaza White Plains-Downtown is offering a breakfast buffet for two and two round-trip Metro-North train tickets into New York City’s Grand Central Terminal for reservations between May 27-July 7, 2019. Book online or call 866-655-5364.

There are ample reasons to make a summer visit to Westchester County in June and beyond:

• Westchester Magazine’s 9^th annual Wine & Food Festival takes place June 4-9 throughout Westchester County and celebrates gourmet food, exceptional wines, beer, spirits, and award-winning chefs. More than 7,000 guests will sip and savor their way through the County during this popular showcase.
• On June 8, the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum in New Rochelle celebrates a grand reopening with a historical festival including new period room displays, historical reenactors, crafts, children's games, music, American BBQ and more.
• Pride goers can head to Croton-on-Hudson June 15-16 for The Great Hudson River Revival, also known as the Clearwater Festival. The event features seven stages with diverse music, dance, storytelling and family-oriented programming as well as a juried handcrafters’ village, green living expo, a waterfront with small boat exhibits and rides, an artisanal food and farm market and environmental education displays and exhibits.
• Celebrate Pride at Bistro Z’s Pride Brunch on June 29 in Tarrytown. Enjoy a three-course prix fixe brunch including a complimentary rainbow mimosa.

• If visitors are planning their trip around New York City’s Pride Parade on June 30, they can continue the celebrations at a variety of July 4 holiday weekend events in Westchester County. For example, a Pride reception will precede Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti’s performance on July 6 at Caramoor’s Summer Music Festival. The dazzling gardens and bucolic grounds of Katonah’s Caramoor come to life during the renowned summer festival.