ANDOVER — Saturday morning showers brought rainbows – in the form of flags, balloons and banners, transforming storefronts into a portrait of inclusivity throughout downtown.
Along Main Street, Park Street and beyond, local shops worked together over the weekend for the town’s second annual Pride Stroll to close out June, which is Pride Month. It was a scene of acceptance, community and small-business support with 45 participating establishments in the district.
Andover’s commercial neighbors collaborated to create a day of special events, giveaways, exclusive discounts and a chance to win more than $2,000 in prizes. So, residents hit the streets for the daylong celebration, undeterred by occasional drizzles.
The Pride Stroll is like a local scavenger hunt with colorful twists and turns down sidewalks and participants collecting a token at each business. Strollers carried Pride sticker sheets, collecting stickers upon each visit to a participating location.
Ten stickers earned entry in a prize raffle, while 15 or more meant a shot at the $250 grand prize raffle, valid at a selection of local stores.
Participating eateries included 34 Park, Andover Bake Shop, Caffè Nero and JP Licks. Boutiques and shops such as Andover Bookstore, Highland & Heather, Chic Consignment, and many more rolled out their best for the celebration.
Andover Bookstore was a popular stop along the downtown tour, filled with excitement and Pride-themed swag. Inside, displays were dedicated to LGBTQ+ novels and customers spun a prize wheel after each purchase.
Later in the evening, bookworms were treated to a photo opportunity with Peggy, a local drag queen who posed with shoppers beside shelves of literature.
“Today is all about community,” said Caroline Buchta, a staff member at the bookstore. “Everyone is feeling welcome and this event is dedicated to every community member walking the sidewalks.”
Crowds also gathered that morning at the Andover Farmers Market in Central Park, where many vendors included rainbow decor in their tents and on their tables.
At the market entrance, volunteer Fenyx Klock handed out Pride sticker sheets to early strollers. Klock’s mother, Sarah Klock, manages Andover Bookstore, reinforcing a sense of deep connection in the downtown district.
Down Main Street, shoppers stopped by Chic Consignment, earning entry to the store’s $100 gift card raffle for every $25 spent. Next door at Dovetail, a cosmetics shop, visitors browsed the merchandise, taking advantage of the one-day 10% discount.
In Pon de Joy, a Boston-based mochi doughnut company, hungry customers stepped up to an assembly line of rainbow-colored toppings to add to their sweet treats. Neighbor Robert Jason Salon strung balloons to the doorway and added stickers to the guests’ sheets one by one.
One of the salon’s hairdressers, Tracey Lorde, offers gender-neutral priced haircuts, charging the same rate to male, female and transgender customers to support all identities
At Highland & Heather, owner Tali McCabe greeted customers to the gift shop, handing out miniature Pride flags and rainbow-frosted cupcakes. McCabe, a founder and organizer of the Pride Stroll, said the event’s inaugural year was a success, with plenty of participants and positive reactions.
From there, she said, the spirit has only grown stronger.
“We have a very strong LGBTQ+ community in Andover, and this is something that is so wanted and needed,” McCabe said.
“Everyone is so on board. I could not speak any more highly of our downtown community.”
The Pride Stroll, sponsored by the Andover Chamber of Commerce and several local businesses, was a shopping event coupled with a display of unity and love.