Upcoming Event: South Bergen PrideFest

By Jennifer Ersalesi

This year's South Bergen PrideFest will take place on June 6, 2026 from 12 PM until 5 PM (the rain date will be June 7th). After months of planning, the Rutherford Pride Alliance's South Bergen PrideFest Committee cannot wait to bring this festival to Lincoln Park. This is Rutherford interviewed two Board members of the Rutherford Pride Alliance, Chair Kat Ruhno-McCallum, and Treasurer, David Grassetti to learn more about South Bergen PrideFest.

TIR: Pridefest has gotten even bigger this year and the name has been changed to South Bergen PrideFest.  Why has the name been changed?

Kathryn Ruhno-McCallum: So many of the festival attendees come from nearby towns throughout Bergen County and beyond. We changed the name to be more inclusive, to recognize the many attendees and festival participants who come from places other than Rutherford, and to make residents throughout South Bergen feel more welcome to attend. 

TIR: What can you tell us about the host of the event - Kimmy Sumony?

David Grassetti: Kimmy Sumony is a drag performer and female illusionist born and raised in Jersey City. She's been performing for seven years, and has built a well-known name and reputation throughout the East Coast. She has hosted the festival for several years in a row and we keep asking her to come back because she is an expert at making our diverse audience feel welcome, included and highly entertained. She is a class act and we love having her return each year!

TIR: On June 6, the day will begin with a Pride Ceremony at the Bandshell in Lincoln Park.  Tell us more about what will take place at the Ceremony.

KRM: The opening ceremony will take place from 12:00 to 12:30 PM. Its main purpose is to remind everyone why we have the festival - both to celebrate our amazing community and to remember why this annual show of support continues to be so critical. The ceremony will include a couple of brief but meaningful speeches, the presentation of the Cameron Jalali-Arki Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Award of $5000 to this year's winner, and welcome words from Bergen County Executive James Tedesco.

TIR: What can people expect when they attend South Bergen PrideFest this year?

DG: As with prior festivals, attendees will be treated to top notch entertainment, including outstanding DJ Dean Seda, singers, bands, drag performances, a children's storytime, and a fun interactive trivia game. We will also have fun and new inflatables for both kids and adults (including one that's an homage to the World Cup!), food trucks, vendors, non-profit organizations, and the ever-popular beer garden. 

TIR: This is a family-friendly event.  What types of activities will children be able to enjoy at this event?

KRM: The festival will have fun inflatables just for kids, entertainment including a storytime with Lover Girl London, face painting, an ice cream food truck, and the chance to dance their hearts out to all the musicians. 

Festival Committee

TIR: Anything else you would like to add.

KRM and DG: We'd love to give a shout out to our generous sponsors without whom the festival could not take place. We especially would like to recognize our major sponsors: the Dan Meredith Insurance Agency, BCB Bank, Variance Films, the Rossi family, and Smile Today Dentistry.