Rain doesn’t stop celebrations in Hudson | Hudsonvalley360.com

Although rain was forecast for Saturday, it was uncertain when it would occur. As the parade began just after its scheduled 2 p.m. start at Columbia and 7th streets, a pouring rain fell.

Despite rain falling along the parade route down Warren Street to Promenade Hill Park on Front Street, demonstrators danced in the rain and spectators lined the sidewalks to cheer on the parade.

Everyone who participated had an incredible time, regardless of the rain, Charlie Ferrusi, co-founder of OutHudson, said Monday.

“It (the rain) didn’t matter,” he said. “The point is we were celebrating pride and 14 years of pride in Hudson.”

After the parade, people were able to enjoy continued festivities, Ferrusi said.

“The streets were still very busy,” he added. “Everyone got soaked but continued to enjoy the other events.”

OutHudson was hosting about 14 events throughout the weekend for Pride.

“The show goes on,” Ferrusi said. “We can’t have a rain date because with all the events going on, we can’t move that to another weekend.”

Next year’s parade is scheduled to take place June 21, Ferrusi said.

“It’s our 15th anniversary, so we’re already planning for it to be bigger and better,” he said.

Parade spectators braved the weather and enjoyed the event.

Ariel Solomon and Angie Riley, full-time travelers visiting Solomon’s father in Catskill, attended their first Hudson Pride parade in 2019 and didn’t miss this year’s event on Saturday.

“It was fun,” Solomon said of Saturday’s parade. “I felt good about a little rain. I felt bad for the drag queens and people in convertibles.”

Jenny Klinger-Eshelby and Amy Klinger-Eshelby, both teachers at Catskill Montessori School, had a float in the parade and they both marched with children and families from the school.

“It was totally fun, even with a downpour,” Jenny Klinger-Eshelby said. “It was really awesome, and it made things even more fun actually.”

It was their first time participating in the parade since moving to the area from Oregon last year, Jenny Klinger-Eshelby said.

“It was amazing,” Amy Klinger-Eshelby said. “It’s just wonderful to see children being welcomed by such a loving and welcoming community.” It seems like ever since we moved here it’s been a very positive experience. It’s a very welcoming environment.

It was nice to see everyone come out to support the parade, despite the rain, said Greenport resident Tom Burke.

“I think it’s kind of funny that (the rain) started when (the parade) started and ended when it ended,” he said.

As the parade moved down Warren Street, the Hudson Food Festival, hosted by the Register-Star and the Daily Gazette, welcomed visitors looking for good food and drink before the rains fell.

The festival took place from noon to 6 p.m. at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park in Hudson and featured a variety of foods and drinks likely to satisfy most area foodies.

The event had more than 30 food vendors, a beer tent featuring beer from Hudson’s Upper Depot Brewing, and the band Wyld Blu played music in the park’s gazebo throughout the day.