On Saturday, June 13, the City of Fremont’s Human Services Department partnered with the city’s Human Relations Committee and the main library for the third annual Pride Fair.
Amid the festive atmosphere provided by a live DJ and vibrantly decorated booths, guests met and mingled with friends, local LGBTQ+ organizations, community service providers, vendors and more.
Amelia’s Kitchen served delicious Mexican fare from their food truck, and the Magical Box Bakery of Newark delighted the crowd with fresh baked cookies.
Bay Area Community Health provided HIV and Hep C testing, while Haller’s Pharmacy Community Vaccine Clinic and Alameda County Public Health administered Covid and flu vaccines.
Drag King Storytime brought together an audience of kids ages six and under with their parents to listen to Jota Mercury read enchanting stories. The Local Queer Author Meet and Book Signing gave readers an opportunity to hear authors discuss their work and get their free copies signed. Genres ranged from adult non-fiction and memoirs to teen graphic novels, poetry and children’s picture books. Participating were Lio Min, María Mínguez Arias, MariNaomi and Nidhi Chanani.
Three years ago, the idea for Pride Fair originated out of brainstorming sessions between Fremont’s Human Services Department and the Alameda County Library’s Fremont Branch for ways to celebrate the local LGBTQ+ community.
“Our conversations were about our connection to the community,” says county librarian Deb Sica. “Staff and commission members wanted an annual celebration to demonstrate that connection and Pride Fair came about organically as a result.
Photos by Victor Carvellas
Photos by Victor Carvellas
“Pride Fair means different things to different people,” adds Sica. “I had people come who were not out but just wanted to be among community quietly, while others who like being loud and proud felt equally welcome.”
