By MADDY VITALE
Nina Meron and Nathaly Urquilla did not know each other until Saturday, when they marched in the first ever OC Pride Fest on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Together, the new friends carried a multi-colored banner to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
Meron, a mother of two boys, and Urquilla, a senior at Egg Harbor Township High School, share a commonality. They don’t want people to be judged for their differences, but rather accepted and celebrated.
They joined a couple of hundred other marchers who came from all over the Tri-State area to show love and pride during the walk and festival.
“We are walking today because love knows no bounds,” said Meron, who has a 14-year-old son and a 17-year-old son. “This is about inclusivity for everyone. I want Ocean City to be inclusive to everyone. I want everyone to feel good, not stifled, and know everyone is here to support them.”
Urquilla smiled as she and Meron continued to march with the rainbow-colored banner.
“I’m here because I have a voice and everyone should feel respected and feel loved, Urquilla said.
The day was focused on celebrating and accepting differences.
“We Belong Cape May County” hosted the event. We Belong Cape May County is a nonprofit organization made up of parents, students, educators and others who are a part of and support the LGBTQ+ community.
Christine Stanford, president of We Belong Cape May County, said of the day, “I’m really excited to see the outpouring of community support from not only Ocean City, but surrounding communities.”
Stanford, of Upper Township, whose daughter, Maeve, is a senior at Ocean City High School, and her son, Liam, graduated in the Class of 2022, said OC Pride Fest was a true team effort that will join so many people and organizations for a very memorable event.
Stanford and other organizers are already thinking about planning for another OC Pride Fest.
Jenna Smith, a middle school teacher in the area, is very active in We Belong.
She and Stanford chatted as they looked at the festivalgoers enjoying everything from making crafts to listening to music.
Smith called the day “amazing.”
“We are so pleased with everything,” she said. “We will see how this goes and plan for next year. I’m sure we will have some other events throughout the year.”
Jakob Pender, a 2022 Ocean City High School graduate, who is also a big part of We Belong, said the day was “absolutely amazing.”
“Less than a year ago we had the first march outside of the high school and now we have an active group,” Pender said. “Everyone is here. It is so amazing to see such a community come together and support this event.”
The event kicked off at 9 a.m. at 6th Street and the Boardwalk, where guest speaker and weather expert “Nor’Easter” Nick Pittman presided over the opening ceremony minutes before they embarked on the Pride Walk.
After the walk, marchers took to the 6th Street Practice Field next to Ocean City High School for some free fun.
There was music by local musicians. Face painting, caricature drawings, recycled jewelry, tinsel hair accents, photography, balloon animals and yoga kept everyone busy and entertained.
Nate Ginet, of Ocean City, a senior and founder of the PRISM Club at Ocean City High School, for the LGBTQ community, said he was pleased with the event.
He sat with some friends and joined in making beaded pieces that featured the colors signifying Pride Fest.
“I am extremely happy and proud that we can come together and give the city something that it has been without for way too long,” Ginet said of the event that highlights the LGBTQ community in a positive way.
Shannon Magan, of Upper Township, and her son, Owen, 9, walked with a person wearing a Snoopy outfit. When asked why Owen joined in the march, Magan said, “He is a very kind child and I teach him that people should be accepting and loving of each other.”
After OC Pride Fest, adults were invited to head over to the Oar House Pub in Sea Isle City for a late afternoon and evening of fun, specials and free entry to those wearing OC Pride Fest bracelets.
