BARNEGAT – Small rainbow flags waved from hands throughout the crowd as families explored vendor booths, children bounced in inflatable attractions and visitors gathered around the stage for music and entertainment during Barnegat Pride’s second annual Pride Festival.
More than 70 vendors filled the grounds, drawing well over 1,000 attendees from throughout Ocean County and beyond. The festival blended celebration with education and outreach, featuring everything from artists, crafters and authors to health organizations, recovery services, advocacy groups, educational institutions and nonprofit agencies.
Visitors had opportunities to connect with representatives from organizations including the Ocean County Health Department, Garden State Equality, Sea Change Recovery Community, the Ocean County Library, Stockton University’s Pride Alliance and other groups offering information on healthcare, counseling, recovery support, education and local resources.
During the opening ceremonies, Barnegat Pride President Carrie Aspan introduced Danny Hoffman as the organization’s vice president. Hoffman recently returned to the leadership team after previously serving as its youth director. The Penn State sophomore has become one of the nonprofit’s most visible advocates.
“Just a few years ago, no one would have thought that a Pride in Barnegat was possible,” Hoffman said. “You would have never thought that field would see so many vendors, so many people for Barnegat Pride.”
“Pride is both a celebration and a reminder,” Aspan said. “It is a celebration of who we are, how far we’ve come and the joy of living authentically. It is also a reminder that visibility matters, acceptance matters and community matters.”
Live entertainment kept the crowd engaged throughout the afternoon. Redbird Flying Solo, Alaska and Soup Can Magazine performed musical sets while DJ Speedy provided tunes between acts. The event also featured PG-rated drag performances by Dezi, Mimi, Kirby and Cobra, with Desiree Moonshine serving as emcee and keeping the crowd energized throughout the day. Buster from the Jersey Shore BlueClaws added a special family-friendly touch to the festivities.
Yet organizers said the event serves as the public face of work that continues throughout the year.
More Than A Festival
For many attendees, the day represented much more than a festival.
Aspan found herself overwhelmed by the number of people who stopped to share what the event meant to them. “People from all over South Jersey were coming up to me,” she said. “They were saying, ‘Thank you so much for doing this. We never thought we’d see this in Ocean County. Especially in Barnegat.'”
The comments carried particular significance given the township’s history.
Barnegat drew national attention in 2019 when then-Mayor Alfonso “Al” Cirulli criticized state requirements that schools include LGBTQ-related topics in their curriculum. Although Cirulli said at the time that his remarks were not intended to be hateful or discriminatory, his comments sparked protests and generated widespread media coverage.
Aspan said members of the Township Committee were invited to attend and speak at both the inaugural festival and this year’s event but did not respond.
At the May Township Committee meeting, Cirulli, now serving as a committeeman, read a proclamation recognizing the “natural family” for the second consecutive year. The proclamation described the natural family as consisting of two married individuals of the opposite biological sex and their biological or adopted children. It further stated that the institution of family has historically served as a foundation of society and has been “maligned and denigrated” by efforts to redefine it.
While the annual Pride Festival may be Barnegat Pride’s most visible event, organizers say it represents only a small part of the organization’s work. Founded in 2024, the nonprofit was created after Aspan recognized a lack of LGBTQ+ resources in southern Ocean County. Since then, it has evolved into a year-round organization focused on education, support, outreach and service.
Barnegat Pride hosts Reading With Pride in partnership with the Ocean County Library’s Stafford Branch, educational programs, resource fairs and outreach events. The organization has also coordinated blood drives and other service projects that benefit residents throughout the area.
One of its most important offerings is a monthly support group facilitated by Dr. Christine Chapais, LSW. The sessions are open to LGBTQ+ individuals, family members and allies seeking support and connection.
Hoffman said creating opportunities for people to come together remains central to the organization’s purpose. “When we talk about community, it’s not just the LGBTQ-plus community,” he said. “Allies are a huge part of that. Without them, we don’t get into these doors and we don’t see things through a different lens.”
A Community Partnership
Among the busiest booths at the festival was one staffed by members of the Waretown United Methodist Church. Pastor Dawn Corlew wore a shirt proclaiming “A Pastor With Pride” as church members collected donations for their Summer Feeding Program, which provides food assistance to children when school meal programs are unavailable. The collection focused on non-perishable, non-expired and kid-friendly food items.
Aspan spoke proudly of the church’s support and said she joined the congregation after finding an accepting environment focused on loving people as they are.
The festival also featured a giveaway sponsored through partnerships with B98.5 and the New York Cosmos. One lucky winner received a VIP package valued at more than $1,000 that included premium game tickets, food, beverages and access to the team’s hospitality area.
Aspan said she secretly entered Rich Bowman into the drawing. Bowman, who is married to Corlew is both a pastor and attorney. “I was so excited when he won,” said Aspan.
Recognition Beyond Barnegat
Barnegat Pride recently received a $5,000 operational grant from the Grunin Foundation to help sustain its year-round programming and support services.
Garden State Equality recently honored Barnegat Pride volunteer Lily with its Volunteer of the Year recognition.
Aspan and Hoffman had to leave this year’s festival early to represent Barnegat Pride at the New York Cosmos’ inaugural Pride Match, where the organization was recognized alongside advocacy groups and community organizations from across the region. Hoffman spoke on behalf of Barnegat Pride during a press event connected to the match.
For Hoffman, the organization’s success demonstrates that attitudes continue to evolve, particularly among younger generations.
“I think people have more respect for how people live their lives, especially in the younger generation,” he said. “We’re moving towards progress.”
“It was a wonderful day of everybody celebrating,” Aspan added. “Celebrating love. Celebrating the fact that we can be ourselves in that environment and be safe.”
