Advisory committee plans Pride booth and joins NAACP on Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast planning

The Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights accepted an invitation to staff a table at Bangor Pride on June 28 and discussed logistics for the committee’s presence and volunteer schedule.

Chair Katie Bridal described the booth plan: volunteers would set up before 10 a.m., the public portion typically runs from about noon to 4 p.m., and volunteers would rotate so no one sits the whole event. Bridal said, “we were given this opportunity, the setup happens before 10AM, and then most vendors leave to go either participate or watch the parade. Come back after, it's usually from, like, 12 to 4, and then 04:00 is breakdown time.” Members discussed using butcher paper for public feedback, a coloring or craft station for engagement, printed fact sheets about the committee’s work and a QR code to collect responses digitally. Staff offered in-house printing if materials are submitted about a week in advance.

Separately, the committee discussed joining the NAACP as a planning partner for the Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast. Committee members said the NAACP is exploring venues including the Cross Insurance Center, which has a nonprofit rate and on-site breakout rooms. Staff reported the Cross Insurance Center had placed a hold on a date and that the center’s kitchen can tailor menus; the committee discussed potential sponsorships, expected attendance (organizers are hoping for about 300 people) and transportation and accessibility considerations. Committee members suggested outreach to the Greater Bangor Chamber of Commerce and larger sponsors such as Northern Light Health to help cover costs and attract attendees.

Members agreed to share volunteer schedules for Pride and to invite NAACP organizers to a future committee meeting to present the event vision and clarify how the committee could assist with planning, sponsorship and outreach.