Toms River Pride 2025

RESCHEDULED Saturday, August 16, 2025  |  11am - 5pm  |  Downtown Toms River​​

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VENDOR SPACES ARE NOW FULL

If an approved vendor is no longer able to participate on August 16th due to scheduling conflicts, please respond ASAP to tomsriverpride@gmail.com by July 18th. All vendors who attempted to apply after initially reaching capacity ahead of the May 31st deadline have been added to a waitlist tracker. The right of first refusal goes to our originally approved vendors, and we will then fill any new, potential openings with those from the waitlist. Please email us with any questions, and thank you for your understanding as we navigate our first rescheduled festival!

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Pride Overview​​​​​​​​

With inclusivity and collaboration at the core of our mission, the Toms River Pride Committee and Exit 82 Theatre Company invite the community to participate in Toms River's 7th Annual Pride Festival taking place on Washington Street in Downtown Toms River on Saturday, August 16th in celebration of the LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Ally, Two Spirit, Plus) community!

 

It is our hope that this inclusive tradition will spark meaningful collaboration that advances our mission of fostering a safe and welcoming environment for members and allies of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Ocean County and across the region. 

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We are grateful to everyone who has made the Toms River Pride Festival a success since 2019! View our Pride Pitch & Impact Report to learn more and submit a Partner Application to get involved.

 

Special thanks to B98.5, Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District, Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce, Toms River Artist Community, Ocean County Library, Community Medical Center, Seaside Pride, and all our supporters!​​​

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Festival Details

• Saturday, August 16th, 11am - 5pm on Washington Street in Downtown Toms River
• Tentative rain date if extreme weather: Sunday, August 17, 2025, 11am – 5pm​
• Partner application deadline: May 31, 2025 / July 18, 2025

• This festival welcomes all including families

• Enjoy food, vendors, performances, shopping, community resources and festivities

• ASL Interpreters will be present throughout the day

• Learn more by reviewing our Terms & Conditions

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Event Schedule

• 11am – Opening Remarks & Toms River Pride Advocate Award presentation to: Diane Musella, New Jersey Library Association's Librarian of the Year of Ocean County Library & Free Mom Hugs Ocean County; and Carrie Diona & Robert Robinson of Barnegat Pride

• 11:15am – Redbird Flying Solo

• 12pm – Remarks by Special Guest Dr. Dale Caldwell

• 12:05pm – Jon Kindred Band

• 1pm – Dan Stinger

• 2pm – Drag Performance with E. LicksHer, Milani & Cherri Leigh Sundae

• 3pm – Madhavi Devi

• 4pm – Self-defense Demonstration with Trans Fit Life's Nikki Valentines

• 5-8pm – Pride After Party at Garden State Distillery co-hosted by Barnegat Pride & Jersey Shore Roller Derby with music by Dan Stinger

• (2pm – Jersey Shore Roller Derby Bout against Bux-Mont Roller Derby offsite at Winding River Skate Rink)

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Thank You To Our Sponsors

​Presenting

• B98.5/Press Communications​​

Gold

• Community Medical Center/RWJBarnabas Health ​

Silver

• Xfinity

• Manasquan Bank

• St. Francis Counseling Service​

Bronze

• M&T Bank

• Jersey Shore BlueClaws

• Ocean County College Foundation

• Ocean Partnership for Children

• Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle, Gutman & Petro, LLC

• Novins, York, Jacobus & Dooley

• Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce​

Hosts

• Exit 82 Theatre Company

• Toms River Artist Community/TRAC Gallery

• Toms River Pride Committee

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Get Involved

• Attend Pride with friends and family

• Become an official Pride Sponsor or Vendor and submit a Partner Application

• Support Pride by making a Donation via Exit 82 Theatre

• Become a Volunteer and join the Pride Committee

• Follow @TomsRiverPride on Facebook & Instagram

• Support local partner organizations like Barnegat Pride

 

 

​Sponsorship Levels

• Platinum: $5,000

• Gold: $2,500

• Silver: $1,000

• Bronze: $500

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Vendor Fees

• Nonprofit: $55

• Retailer: $140

• Food: $220

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Let's Collaborate

To discuss opportunities or participate as a Pride partner, organizers can be contacted at tomsriverpride@gmail.com. We are seeking volunteers, sponsors, vendors, businesses, community organizations, artists, craftspeople, performers, and more to make this a memorable celebration and a lasting tradition!​​​​​​​​​