Lower Adirondack Pride is kicking off Pride Month with events all weekend long! We caught up with Cam Cardinale, President of Lower Adirondack Pride, to hear a bit more about the organization, the festivities they have planned for the weekend and what’s in store for the year ahead…
Pride Fest 2023 • Image Courtesy of Cam Cardinale
Tell us a bit about yourself, Cam!
I’m Cam Cardinale, President of Lower Adirondack Pride, the local pride organization serving Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga Counties. I have a strong passion for advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community at the local, state, and national levels, ensuring our voices are heard across all tiers of government.
In addition to this role, I am the Director of Community Relations for Southern Adirondack Independent Living, an agency that serves seventeen counties throughout New York State with the mission of helping people live more independently. I am truly honored to hold this position and advocate on behalf of people with disabilities in the communities we serve.
Cam Cardinale, President - Lower Adirondack Pride
On The Founding (And Reviving) of Lower Adirondack Pride
Lower Adirondack Pride was founded in 2010 under the name The Bridge. The organization initially hosted an annual pride festival and conducted advocacy throughout the community. In 2016, the organization went dormant.
In 2023, we decided to revive the organization, and a dedicated group of individuals came together to make it happen. In just 27 days, we planned an entire festival that attracted over 1,500 attendees. Since then, we’ve been hard at work with year-round programming including mixers, social events, support groups, sports leagues, community advocacy, and much more.
On Advocacy
Currently, our organization is focused on advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community within the Lower Adirondack Region and continuing to host events and programs year-round. Additionally, we’re partnering with local businesses to supply them with pride flags to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Pride Fest 2023 • Image Courtesy of Cam Cardinale
On Pride Fest
We’re thrilled about our 2024 Glens Falls Pride Fest, which has grown into a three-day event filled with fun and celebration!
On Friday May 31, we’ll be hosting a Gayla at The Queensbury Hotel. The night will feature a dinner, remarks, the presentation of our first Lower Adirondack Pride Community Champion Award to Glens Falls Hospital, a drag show, dancing, raffles, and much more!
On Saturday June 1, we’ll host a movie night in Glens Falls City Park, beginning at 8 p.m. We’ll be showing "Strange World” — Disney’s first movie with an openly gay character.
And on Sunday June 2, we’ll host the main festival in City Park. This event will feature over 50 vendors, including food trucks, non-profits, and local artisans. There will also be a parade through Downtown Glens Falls, yard games, a drag show, and more.
Pride Fest 2023 • Image Courtesy of Cam Cardinale
On The Future
Beyond our festival, you can look forward to continuous events throughout the year, ongoing advocacy work, and efforts to create a more inclusive environment for all.
We’re excited about the future and committed to making a positive impact in our community!
