Garden Party a Tasty Start to Pride

PHOTOS BY DONNA ACETO | With food offerings from more than 30 Manhattan eateries, the LGBT Community Center’s Garden Party has become an annual tastings treat.

It has long also been the kick-off to Pride Week in Manhattan.

This year’s event, held June 18 at Pier 46 at Christopher Street, drew thousands to an event at which the Center’s executive director, Glennda Testone accepted a proclamation from Governor Andrew Cuomo, presented by his aide Erik Bottcher:

Lynn Faria, the Empire State Pride Agenda’s interim executive director, is seen here with board chair Louis Bradbury:

Yetta Kurland, a likely contender in next year’s City Council race to succeed Speaker Christine Quinn, also made the scene:

And, of course, others, whether in bright colors or all black, were there as a reminder that Pride can also be about goofy fun: