Natick Nights celebrated togetherness with Pride theme

Families, small businesses and local organizations gathered at Natick Common Thursday night to kick off the first Natick Nights of the summer — and the first Pride-themed installment in the event’s history.

Hosted three times over the summer by Natick Center Cultural District, Natick Nights bring together local vendors, food trucks and family-friendly entertainment, including face painting and balloon art. Local band Max Klau provided live music behind the gazebo, drawing families to sit on the grass.

Many attendees said the Pride theme made the event feel especially meaningful.

Reverend Cindy Worthington-Berry, who leads the First Congregational Church of Natick, said she was excited to hold a booth at the event and visibly support LGBTQIA+ residents.

“For us to be out here tonight to be greeting the community and supporting the community, particularly the queer community, is really important to us,” Worthington-Berry said. “It’s a great opportunity to be connected with other people in the community.”

Worthington-Berry described First Congregational as an “open and affirming” church that fully welcomes LGBTQIA+ people. Given the harm religious institutions have historically caused queer communities, she said churches have a responsibility to show up and offer support.

“If we don’t have the LGBTQIA community with us, we are missing a big aspect of the divine,” Worthington-Berry said. “So we want to make sure that all people know they are welcome in our midst.”

Rich Overton, who leads local LGBTQIA+ organization QMMUNITY, said Natick Nights plays an important role in building community among residents at a time when many feel increasingly divided.

“It creates an environment of community, of friendship, of trust, of safety in our town, and I think it’s crucial to the tone of Natick,” Overton said.

For Overton, Pride events also play an important role in creating visibility, particularly for transgender residents and other marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“Having events like these show that there is support, and there are allies,” Overton said. “And there are fellow queer folk who want to welcome them and make sure that they are as visible as everybody else.”

Several advocacy organizations echoed that message. Standing Up for Natick Students, an organization opposing book bans and restrictions on classroom curriculum, held a booth at Natick Nights for the first time.

Katie Joyce, a member of SUNS, said holding Pride-themed events is especially significant amid legal efforts to restrict Diversity, Equity and Inclusion-related discussions in schools.

“We’re trying … to protect public school educators, public schools that are teaching children things that are historically accurate, teaching things about a diverse range of people and cultures,” Joyce said. “So it is really important that we do that here tonight as well, and I think it says a lot about Natick that so many people have come out to support this event.”

Lily Pearl, program and education manager at OUT MetroWest, a nonprofit providing social and educational programs for LGBTQIA+ youth, said having Pride-themed events beyond June’s usual celebrations sends an important message.

“[It] is really important to show that it’s not just a one-day kind of thing, and to show that the community isn’t afraid to host such events when there’s been book bans, flag bans,” Pearl said. “To really just show up for the community.”

Businesses bond with community

Alongside nonprofit organizations, dozens of local businesses set up booths ranging from art studios to after-school programs.

Kidcasso Art Studio, which recently opened a Natick location, participated to introduce itself to families. Owner Laura-Marie Small said being involved in the community is central to their business.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on being very grounded in the communities that we serve,” Small said. “And what’s important to our communities is what is important to us … and that’s why we’re here.”

For attendees, the event also provided an opportunity to discover local businesses while spending time with neighbors.

“You meet businesses that you didn’t know were around,” said attendee Nicole Powers, who came to the event with her family. “And then I think it’s a nice community, like everyone gathers together.”

Whether they were promoting a business, advocating for a cause or simply enjoying the festivities, many participants said Natick Nights truly brought the town together.

“It’s nice to come here and see this is a loving community, a joyful community,” said Robin Clausen, another member of First Congregational. “People are here in good spirits to support Natick and one another.”

Overton emphasized that a sense of togetherness is especially valuable today.

“We’re all in this together, just trying to make sure that our area sticks together,” Overton said. “And make sure that we can connect in these happier ways, in somewhat unhappy times.”

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