NEWSLETTER
The one-day volleyball tournament will take place at Eisenhower Park and raise proceeds for PFY, a Long Island-based LGBTQ+ center
East Meadow, N.Y. (May 25, 2022) -- After a successful debut, the Second Annual Grass Volleyball Pride Festival, a.k.a “PrideFest,” will return on June 10 to Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, NY.
Hosted in June 2022 by VBLI, a Long Island-based recreational volleyball organization for teenagers and adults, the inaugural PrideFest was an all-day charity tournament that welcomed 186 volleyball enthusiasts, members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies from all over the Northeastern U.S. The gathering raised $5,000 for PFY, whose mission is to enhance the health and wellness of the LGBTQ community in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Counties.They will be returning as the event’s co-host and the recipient of the proceeds generated.
A variety of formats and skill levels will be offered, including Men’s, Women’s and Reverse CoEd Doubles and Gender Neutral Fours. $60 from each doubles team and $120 from each fours team’s registration fees will be donated to PFY.
“The first Pridefest was a labor of love that was embraced by the volleyball community, so it is inevitable this event would reoccur,” said Glenn Yankow, VBLI’s Founder and Managing Director. “We’re looking forward to working with PFY in creating another enjoyable experience that evokes the spirit of Pride Month.”
Over 200 people are expected to participate and spectate, raising more than $6,000 in the process. Teams are encouraged to be creative and dress-up in matching Pride-themed attire.
“For all of the attacks and discrimination that LGBTQ+ athletes endure on a regular basis, PrideFest stands as a defiant opposition to hateful rhetoric,” said Devon Zappasodi, Director of PFY. “We’re grateful for VBLI and the volleyball community for creating this wholesome atmosphere.”
Registration for PrideFest is open now; for more information, visit: www.vbli.com.
Download press assets here.
Members of the media and content creators are invited to attend and/or participate in PrideFest.
Contact Alex Petrucelli at apetrucelli@vbli.com to coordinate your visit!
About VBLI
Founded in 2006, VBLI, LLC. (Volleyball Long Island) is a regional organization hosting indoor and grass volleyball tournaments throughout Long Island and the NY/NJ/CT tri-state area. With over 40 professionally-managed tournaments in a variety of formats held annually, volleyball enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels are welcome to round-up their friends and come to all-day exciting, competitive and - most importantly - fun gatherings!
For more information, visit: www.vbli.com
About PFY
As the very first LGBTQ+ center of its kind in a suburban setting in the United States in 1993, PFY is proudly celebrating 30 years of successfully pioneering innovative LGBTQ+ programming on Long Island and in Queens. In 2022 alone, they served nearly 10,000 LGBTQ+ individuals and allies under their 35 programs and services. Their mission is to enhance the health and wellness of the LGBTQ community through education, supportive services, and personal development in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Counties. Programs consist of sexual health and gender-affirming services, individual and family counseling, case management, support groups and spaces, and community education and professional trainings.
For more information, visit: www.liccpfy.org
Contact:
Alex Petrucelli
Phone: (631) 921-8296
E-mail: apetrucelli@vbli.com