Extra LIRR Train Slated For 3rd Annual Hamptons Pride Parade

EAST HAMPTON, NY — With thousands possibly expected to head out to East Hampton Saturday for the 3rd Annual Hamptons Pride Parade, the MTA Long Island Rail Road has added an extra train.

According to parade organizer Tom House: "There's an exciting, brand-new development."

Hampton Pride, a 501c3 public charitable organization, plans the now annual Pride parade in East Hampton Village, to be held on Saturday, June 1, beginning at noon. The train leaves Speonk at 10:19 a.m., and stops in Westhampton Beach at 10:25 a.m., Hampton Bays at 10:34 a.m., Southampton at 10:44 a.m., Bridgehampton at 10:52 a.m., and then arrives in East Hampton.

"The MTA has added a special train from Speonk to East Hampton, arriving at 11:02 a.m., in time for riders further west to spectate or march," he said.

Reflecting on the event that has come to mean so much, House said: "Our first parade in 2022, the first Pride parade in the history of the Hamptons, shocked everyone, as well over 1,000 people attended. Last year the turnout was even larger, and this year, the addition of the train will give people farther west, who might not be able to take the drive out or find a place to park once they get to East Hampton, an opportunity to take part in what has fast become one of the most-beloved and eagerly awaited events in the Hamptons community."

Hamptons Pride and village police volunteers will meet riders at the East Hampton station with a support walk to the lineup and spectator areas for the parade, he said.

After the parade, a rally and celebration with D.J. Karin Ward will take place in Herrick Park. The event will also feature the Bridgehampton School's marimba band and Mila Tina, "the sensational Chilean-American percussionist," to greet marchers and revel with celebrants at the park until 3 p.m., House said.

The Hamptons Pride Parade is free.

"We are an all-volunteer organization, and we do not charge for registration – not for people, not for cars, not for anything. Everyone is welcome without any bars to participation. We have many diverse groups participating — local schools, faith communities, cultural and social organizations, and local businesses; each year the participation becomes more broad and inclusive, and it is an absolute joyfest, a true grass-roots, pure-hearted embrace of the East End's LGBTQ+ people and their allies," House said.

House told Patch he was gratified that the MTA had put faith and trust in the Hamptons Pride group. "Just the fact that they realize that the Hamptons Pride Parade should have a special train means that they recognize the importance to the community — and the volume that's likely to attend," he said.

House estimated that 2,000 or more could attend Saturday.

Seeing the parade blossom, he added, is "very deeply gratifying. I've seen firsthand how important it is to many communities on the East End. It's changing the climate of the East End."

He added, "The most important thing for me is that young people see how much support they have — so they are free to become whoever they are."

East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen asked Hamptons Pride to continue to organize the parade, and the East Hampton Village Police to expertly direct the event, House said.

Lineup starts at 11 a.m. on Main Street near Pondview Lane and Guild Hall, and the parade kicks off at noon. Registered participants will march east on Main Street to Newtown Lane, Railroad Avenue, and Lumber Lane, ending in Herrick Park, where there will be music and celebration with D.J. Karin Ward until 3 p.m.

Those who have not registered will be able to walk in the parade but not with a vehicle, float, or pet, House said.

Of the event, he said: "Walk with friends, family, co-workers; launch a float; strike up a band; slow-roll in a sassy convertible or pickup. All are welcome! Let’s come out in the biggest numbers yet to celebrate and support the East End’s LGBTQ+ people and their allies. Together, we’ll start Pride month off with a roar!"