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HerndonPRIDE brought an estimated 1,500 people together for roller skating, live music, art and a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community—while also highlighting uncertainty surrounding Arts Herndon’s home.
Seven-year-old Andy captured the spirit of the second annual festival, saying everyone was able to be themselves and celebrate love “when there is a lot of hate going on in other places.”
Arts Herndon and Sacred Roller Skate Supply presented the June 28 event in association with Capital Pride Alliance. The festivities began with Rolling Pride, a community skating party that ran from noon to 5 p.m. inside Arts Herndon’s building.
DJ music and live drumming energized the crowd as visitors explored a newly opened section of the venue. In the week before the festival, volunteers removed a non-load-bearing partition from a concrete-floored former storage area without air conditioning.
Opening two commercial roll-up garage doors on opposite sides of the building transformed the space into a broad central breezeway. One side led to the north lawn overlooking the W&OD Trail, while the other opened toward the south parking lot.
Outside, visitors browsed tents offering food, drinks, activities and goods from vendors. Guests could also order icy mocktails and help create a community mosaic with Mizz Mosaic.
Volunteer Sage Kerr, who staffed the T-shirt table, said many attendees expressed gratitude to Arts Herndon for organizing the celebration. Kerr described the crowd as joyful and proud.
The Critter Carnival, music and drumming continued through the afternoon. Stacey LaRoy of Herndon Friends Meeting said supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community enjoyed skating, giveaways and locally made art that was displayed and offered during the festival.
Following a two-hour dinner break—giving attendees time to visit restaurants about a block away—the celebration moved to the Town Green. From 7 to 10 p.m., Arts Herndon DIY presented the metal show “Night of the Vampire 1.”
Dranesville District Supervisor James Bierman spoke during the roller party. He later praised the community for coming together to affirm and support LGBTQ+ residents during June and throughout the year.
Katie McDonald, owner of Sacred Roller Skate Supply, credited Bierman’s support with helping make the event possible. She said co-hosting the festival with Arts Herndon CEO and President Jo Ormesher was deeply rewarding.
McDonald described the event as grassroots and community-centered, saying residents built it together from the ground up. As the owner of a queer-operated business, she said she felt supported by Herndon residents and formed new relationships with people and businesses sharing similar values.
Ormesher reported total attendance of 1,500 and thanked everyone who helped with responsibilities ranging from permits to pet management. Bierman, Reston Art Gallery & Studio, and Patricia and Steve McIntyre sponsored the event.
The festival’s success came as Arts Herndon remains caught in a dispute affecting its location at 750 Center Street.
Volunteer Demeter Capisalis warned that redevelopment could force the nonprofit from the property, arguing that Ormesher and Arts Herndon deserve stronger community support. He said he fears the organization could be lost if officials prioritize profitable redevelopment over investment in the existing arts community.
The concern stems from an ongoing property deed dispute between the Town of Herndon and developer Comstock Herndon Venture LC. Arts Herndon occupies a site within the boundaries of the larger contested property, placing the nonprofit in the middle of the conflict.