By Lynn SHER

The County of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation is hosting a Pride in The Park event in honor of Pride Month on Saturday, June 17, at Crescenta Valley Park, 3901 Dunsmore Ave. Festivities begin with breakfast at 10 a.m. and the event runs until noon. Pride in the Park is LA County Parks’ first department-wide celebration of Pride Month. Throughout the month of June it is partnering with various LGBTQ+ community-based organizations and holding celebrations at 56 different parks throughout Los Angeles.

“These two-hour programs hope to elevate inclusion in parks and recreation programs and spaces while celebrating LA County’s diversity,” according to its website.

Beverly Craig, pastor at the Center for Spiritual Living-La Crescenta, and Father Guy Leemhis, vicar at St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church, will be speaking on topics like inclusivity and coming out. They will also be providing “safe spaces” for anyone seeking counsel or who simply want to share their feelings. There will be crafts, raffles with prizes like Starbucks gift cards and live entertainment. An open mic poetry reading is also on the itinerary for people inspired to share their work.

The inspiration for hosting “mini Pride festivals,” according to Jason Hauser from LA County Parks and Recreation, is service.

“We want to serve; that’s the job of the Parks – to serve everyone,” he said. “My goal is to build bridges. We want to build understanding and respect and love for everyone.”