Asbury Park Pride Celebration Returns to Georgies

The beloved Georgies Community Cookout will return to Asbury Park on June 22, 2025, offering a day-long celebration of Pride, community and summer joy as part of the North 2 Shore Festival. The event transforms Georgies Bar on 5th Avenue into a vibrant hub featuring drag performances, live music from queer artists, and essential community resources.

This annual celebration highlights Asbury Park’s status as the Jersey Shore’s LGBTQ+ capital while showcasing emerging musical talent and connecting attendees with vital services, continuing the city’s long tradition of inclusive community gatherings.

Drag Brunch Launches Day of Celebration

The festivities begin with Georgies’ legendary drag brunch, featuring performances from some of the region’s most accomplished drag artists delivering the blend of glamour, comedy and entertainment that has made the venue’s brunches a fixture in Asbury Park’s cultural calendar. The morning performances set the tone for a day dedicated to celebration and community connection.

“There’s something magical about starting Pride celebrations with drag performances that honor this art form’s essential role in LGBTQ+ history,” said event organizer Jason Martinez. “These queens create this incredible atmosphere of joy and affirmation that carries through the entire day.”

According to North 2 Shore Festival organizers, the drag performances represent just the beginning of a comprehensive day of entertainment that spans multiple artistic disciplines while maintaining focus on queer expression and community building.

Local Queer Musicians Showcase Diverse Talents

Following the drag brunch, the event spotlight shifts to musical performances featuring several of the Jersey Shore’s most promising LGBTQ+ musical acts. The lineup includes Type Advantage delivering their distinctive “beach-swept indie rock,” Singer-songwriter Teen Idle performing emotionally resonant original compositions, and hip-hop/pop artist Heather Hills, who has gained recognition in publications including Paper Magazine and BUST.

“This musical lineup represents the incredible diversity within queer artistry at the Jersey Shore,” explained Thomas Klein, festival artistic director. “From indie rock to introspective songwriting to boundary-pushing hip-hop, these performers demonstrate the breadth of LGBTQ+ creative expression happening right here in our community.”

Between performances, DJs will maintain the festive atmosphere while providing opportunities for dancing and social connection. The musical programming aims to spotlight emerging talents while creating an inclusive, celebratory environment accessible to attendees of all backgrounds.

Resource Fair Connects Community with Services

Beyond entertainment, Georgies Community Cookout features a comprehensive LGBTQ+ resource fair connecting attendees with vital services and community organizations. This aspect of the event highlights Asbury Park’s status as a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors while addressing practical needs within the community.

“The resource fair transforms this celebration into something truly meaningful for our community,” noted Sarah Williams, community outreach coordinator. “While the performances create this wonderful atmosphere of joy and pride, the resource connections can make tangible differences in people’s everyday lives.”

Participating organizations will provide information about healthcare services, legal resources, community groups, and support networks specifically focused on LGBTQ+ needs and concerns. The resource fair represents the event’s commitment to substantive community building alongside celebration.

Asbury Park Maintains LGBTQ+ Cultural Leadership

Georgies Community Cookout exemplifies Asbury Park’s longstanding reputation as the Jersey Shore’s most welcoming and vibrant LGBTQ+ destination. The city’s inclusion in the North 2 Shore Festival programming highlights this cultural significance while introducing new audiences to its diverse community.

“Asbury Park has this remarkable history as a place where LGBTQ+ people have found acceptance and built community for generations,” said Maria Sanchez, festival director. “Events like Georgies Community Cookout honor that legacy while continuing to create spaces where everyone truly belongs.”

The event’s inclusion in the festival lineup received support through the festival’s Community Arts Awards initiative, which provides funding for local organizations to produce free or low-cost arts events during the festival period. According to New Jersey Stage, this initiative has distributed nearly $400,000 across Asbury Park, Newark, and Atlantic City to ensure community-based programming remains accessible throughout the festival.

Event Details and Additional Information

Georgies Community Cookout begins at 1:00 PM on Sunday, June 22, at Georgies Bar, located at 812 5th Avenue in Asbury Park. The drag brunch requires separate reservations directly through Georgies, while the afternoon activities are open to the public with a suggested donation of $10 to support participating community organizations.

The event will feature special food and drink offerings throughout the day, with pride-themed karaoke sessions scheduled between musical performances. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early as capacity is limited, particularly for the popular drag brunch portion of the program.

Additional information about this and other North 2 Shore Festival events can be found on the festival’s official website, which includes comprehensive details about LGBTQ+-focused programming across all three host cities during the two-week celebration.