June sun brightens awareness for Safety, LGBT Pride, SummerFests, the Environment and more worthwhile causes and events. It is the month to celebrate the official onset of Summer, Fathers, Hunger and festivals galore. Here are five top June Events to know.
5 Top June Summer Events to Know
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY* – Held annually since 1972 on the 5th of June, World Environment Day is the biggest annual event for positive environmental action. The theme is always selected by the host country who, in 2017 is Canada. The theme: Connecting People to Nature – implores us to get outdoors and into nature – to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share. There are many ways to celebrate:
—Join the Global Album: take a photo or video of your fave place in nature and use #WorldEnvironmentalDay or #WithNature
—Explore Nature: Go outside, discover species in your everyday world using iNaturalist
—Plan an Outdoor Activity: Celebrate with a picnic, a group cleanup, a walk in the park, a swim….
To find events in your city or country, visit: Celebrate Together
GAY AND LESBIAN PRIDE MONTH (LGBT) – a/k/a Gay, Lesbian, Sexual and Transgender Pride Month. Gay Pride or LGBT Pride is a worldwide movement asserting that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The three main messages are: (1) people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity; (2) sexual diversity is a gift, and (3) sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent and cannot be intentionally altered.
June was chosen to remember the 1969 riot at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar on famed Christopher Street in Manhattan. On June 28,1970, the first march commemorating the anniversary of the riot took place in NYC – the first of its kind in the United States. Many claim that the Stonewall Inn Riot marked the beginning of the gay liberation movement in the US.
Each city holds its own festivities and selects its own themes and dates to celebrate. You can find pride parades, marches, picnics, parties, memorials for those lost from HIV and AIDS, and other group gathering events that attract countless thousands of individuals. Three of the biggest cities — New York City, Chicago and San Francisco are all holding many events with parades and/or marches on June 25. Check your local community listings or the Pride Events website for LGBT Pride events happening near you.
SUMMER FESTIVALS – June marks the official onset of Summer and well before the Summer solstice on June 21, festival season is in high gear. From arts & crafts, to dance to music; from food, to hot-air balloons to air shows, you will find a festival to tickle your fancy. Families, individuals, couples and the like, there is a Summer Fest for everyone. Some of the largest free festivals include:
Artscape, July 21-July 23, Baltimore, MD – America’s largest free arts festival, attracting over 350,000 attendees over three days. Featuring: more than 150 fine artists, fashion designers and craftspeople; visual art exhibits on and off-site, live concerts on outdoor stages; a full schedule of performing arts; and family events.
SummerStage, May thru October, Central Park, NYC – the largest free performing arts festival in New York City. Featuring: artists and genres that reflect the diverse cultures and communities in neighborhood parks across the five boroughs — from the iconic to the avant-garde, from opera to hip-hop, film to circus–and everything in between.
Chicago Air & Water Show, August 19-20, Chicago, IL – This air and water show is one of the largest free shows of its kind in the United States, taking place each year at Chicago’s lakefront at North Avenue Beach. Featuring: l a wide variety of military and civilian aerial demonstration teams with daredevil pilots performing their stunts in the skies above Past headliners included the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights.
FATHER’S DAY – Perhaps the biggest festival of all – paying homage to Dads everywhere. Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads around the world! Enjoy!
June’s offerings do run the gamut from important cause events to Summer time festival fun. Happy June! – Abbe is #SOSPARKED. @sosparkednews @asparks01
* Disclaimer: Use of the United Nations Environment Programme World Environment Day logo does not imply an endorsement by the United Nations Environment Programme of the user, its goods, services or activities, or the content of its website or linked sites or the accuracy of the information, opinions or statements provided therein