The Westchester Pride Coalition announces Westchester County’s first LGBT Pride celebration at Playland Park on Saturday, Sept. 12  from noon to 9 p.m.

“This is an event that’s long overdue,” said David Juhren, executive director of The LOFT: the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in White Plains. “Westchester’s LGBT residents had to celebrate their diversity and pride at other Pride events in the region. Those other festivals are wonderful, but celebrating in your own community fosters self esteem and builds a permanent sense of belonging.”

In May 2009, The LOFT banded together with 12 other nonprofit LGBT organizations and programs to form the Westchester Pride Coalition. The coalition quickly voted to focus its efforts on creating a Pride festival in Westchester. Yvette Christofilis, the Westchester County liaison to the LGBT Community, helped the group secure Playland Park as the venue for the celebration.

County Executive Andy Spano will be on hand to welcome participants and will have a meet and greet at the Pride Pavilion. “I love Playland!” Spano said. “I’m excited about this. I’m glad the Coalition decided to hold its first event there and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”

“This event is completely different from other Gay Pride celebrations in the region, since it is held at one of Westchester’s landmarks,” Christofilis said. “We were committed to creating a family-friendly atmosphere from the very start, and what better place than an amusement park?”

The group is modeling its plans on similar events held at Disney parks and Six Flags and aims to offer activities for all interests. In addition to everything Playland offers, guests will have access to the Pride Pavilion and vendors, nonprofit organizations and health service agencies all targeted to the LGBT community. Performers, musicians and children’s acts will entertain. “Meet up” groups will be held at so that various groups, such as single men, couples with children or lesbian professionals, can meet and get to know each other.

Tickets are now on sale at the discounted price of $20 and include all rides and amusements. They must be purchased in advance by visiting the Westchester Pride Coalition  or through representatives of the thirteen Coalition member organizations. Non-rider wristbands will be available on the day of the event for $3. Children less than 36 inches tall are always admitted for free.

For more information on Westchester Pride at Playland or to purchase tickets, visit Westchester Pride Coalition. Print and post the Pride day flyer. For information about Playland and for directions to the park, visit Playland.

Members of the Westchester Pride Coalition include AIDS-Related Community Services, Center Lane, the Gateway Program at Westchester Medical Center, GLSEN Hudson Valley, Lambda Peer Support Services, The LOFT: the LGBT Community Center, NYTRO, PFLAG Westchester, Planned Parenthood, Rainbow Alliance of Westchester, Straight Spouse Network, Victims Assistance Services, Westchester Lesbian Connection, and the Westchester County Office of LGBT Affairs.