Waving Pride flags and honking horns along the route, about 20 decorated vehicles made their way through Rockville Centre during the fourth annual RVC Pride Caravan, an event celebrating Pride Month and showing support for the village’s LGBTQ+ community.
Hosted by RVC Pride on June 20, the caravan has grown significantly since it was launched four years ago by co-founders Karin Johnson, Lori Dunn and Pastor Scott Ressman. What began as a small show of support has evolved into an annual tradition that continues to attract more participants and broader community support.
“It’s really just to let the LGBTQ people in the village know that we’re here and we’re paying attention and we care about them,” Johnson said.
The caravan began at United Church before winding through neighborhoods across the village and continuing into the downtown business district.
Along the route, participants passed North Village Tavern, where they recognized the venue’s annual Pride celebration before continuing to the Village Green. There, participants gathered for a group photo to mark the occasion.
Decorated with rainbow flags and accompanied by music, the procession was met with enthusiastic support from residents, who waved, honked their horns and gave thumbs-up as it passed. Organizers said those interactions reinforce the event’s mission of increasing visibility while fostering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere throughout the community.
“The LGBTQ community has been really under attack,” Johnson said. “I don’t think people really realize how devastating that is for human beings to be attacked on every level.”
The RVC Pride Caravan continues to serve as both a celebration and a public demonstration of inclusion, bringing together residents, local businesses and community leaders to promote acceptance throughout Rockville Centre.
For more information about RVC Pride, visit RVCPride.org.
