Sash & Splash will be a fun-filled day of pride, parades, and the special Passing of the Sash Ceremony. It’s all about community, colorful vibes, and honoring tradition. Don’t miss out on this awesome chance to connect, parade, and splash into Pride together. The event will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Blue Point Brewpub in Patchogue.
Patchogue Pride recently announced the Pride Parade 2026 grand marshal as Kerry Thomas. A passing of the sash will be held at the Blue Point Brewpub on Friday, May 15.
“Patchogue Pride is such a fun celebration. It’s also a statement of community, visibility, and belonging. It’s an honor to be Grand Marshal and amplify the voices of the trans community,” said Thomas. “My story is not uncommon, but it is my privilege to be a transgender man in a position of leadership and represent what’s possible. I’ve seen so much progress over the past couple of decades since I transitioned, but I also know there are still a lot of challenges young LGBTQ+ people are facing these days. Pride is a time when we uplift each other to rise above those challenges and show that love is always greater than hate, especially as role models for the younger generation. Diversity makes our community stronger, and Patchogue welcomes everyone!”
Thomas is a social worker and the executive director of Thursday’s Child, a Patchogue-based nonprofit serving the LGBTQ+ community and advancing health equity.
For years, Thomas has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ health, visibility, and access. He has also served as co-chair of the Nassau-Suffolk HIV Health Services Planning Council and volunteered with the Northwell LGBTQ+ Transgender Program’s Client Advisory Board.
Thomas came out as transgender and began his medical transition as a teenager more than 20 years ago.
“At a time, resources and support were incredibly limited,” explained co-founder James Diele-Stein. “That lived experience continues to fuel his commitment to creating safer, healthier, and more affirming spaces for others.”
Thomas also does yard work for his grandparents, plays sports, competes in Team Trans ice hockey tournaments, coaches with Trans Boxing Collective, and casually bikes 113 miles from Babylon to Montauk.
Patchogue’s third annual Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, June 13 at noon. The parade will run down Main Street from Route 112 west towards Blue Point. For the first time, the parade will be held on a Saturday rather than a Sunday.
“Imagine a Patchogue where everyone feels seen, valued, and celebrated,” said event organizers. “Our streets will come alive with color, energy, and a shared commitment to inclusion. This isn’t just a parade—it’s a powerful statement that Patchogue is a welcoming community for all.”
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