Southold Town’s Unity Picnic has been bringing families from all different backgrounds together for nearly two decades, and this Saturday the event returns to the Peconic Lane Community Center for an afternoon of music, food, family activities and fellowship with neighbors throughout town.
The event, from Noon to 4 p.m. is organized by the Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force, which promotes diversity, unity, and understanding between residents of Southold.
Last year, say the organizers, fewer Latino residents brought their families to the picnic in the midst of heightened fears of racial profiling by federal immigration agents.
“We’ve always had lots of Hispanic families, and lots of kids, and last year this changed dramatically, understandably, because people were afraid to bring their families out to a public event,” said ABTF Co-Chair Emily Geiger this week. “We had fewer families. I don’t know what’s going to happen this year. But we’ve got enough food for everyone, and there are always activities for kids.”
The organizers are hoping people feel safe to share in the afternoon’s festivities this year.
“This year, people should really come because we need unity,” said ABTF Co-Chair Sylvia Daley. “People look at unity and love as throwaway words, but if you’re dying and you’re thinking about quarreling with your sister, you’ve wasted minutes and hours. The picnic is about the closeness of being with the community. The World Cup recently showed people that the world can come together and have a really nice fun time. It’s the same thing with the picnic.”
Photos of past picnics courtesy Sylvia Daley.
Longtime ABTF Member and former Co-Chair Valerie Shelby has been instrumental in organizing the picnic for many years, and she will serve as the Master of Ceremonies at this year’s event. She said Southold first got the idea after visiting a similar picnic organized by the Southampton Anti-Bias Task Force in Hampton Bays.
“People who come can expect friendliness, talent, good people getting together and talking with neighbors, vendors from restaurants who donate food and the town Department of Public Works donating their talents cooking on the grill,” she said.
In Southold, she said, “you know your neighbors. We’re all going to stick together, and we’re not going to let anybody get harmed. We can’t live in fear. That’s the worst thing to live in. If we respect each other, nothing will go wrong. It should be that simple. That’s our mandate — to love one another.”
You may have seen a sign at the Main Road gateway to Southold in Laurel pledging that the town is working toward becoming a bias-free community.
That pledge is a work in progress, Councilwoman Anne Smith, a Town Board liaison to the ABTF, often reminds herself.
“The Unity Picnic reminds us of the importance of coming together in community as a community,” she said this week. “Promoting unity, diversity and understanding is the core of the work of the Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force, and it’s something we all need to nurture. Now more than ever, we must uphold this mission. ”
“Everyone is welcome — what a beautiful phrase that rings so true, as our Beloved Communities of Southold and Greenport join together in fun and fellowship, breaking bread, joyous in celebration of the promise of how America can be in supportive harmony,” said Councilman Brian Mealy, who also serves as a liaison to the Anti-Bias Task Force.
The Peconic Lane Community Center is located at 1170 Peconic Lane in Peconic, and the Unity Picnic is on Saturday, Aug. 8, from Noon to 4 p.m.
East Hampton Also Plans A Picnic
The Community Picnic trend may be growing — the Town of East Hampton also announced this week that its’ Latino Advisory Committee will host its inaugural summer picnic on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Maidstone Park Pavilion.
The free, family-friendly event is open to community members of all ages and backgrounds. Food will be provided by the locally owned Taqueria Flores food truck, along with additional refreshments and raffle prizes sponsored by local businesses.
This summer picnic was thoughtfully envisioned by LAC member Jazmin Leon, advocating for a free, family-friendly event that is open to community members of all ages and backgrounds, according to East Hampton Town.
The picnic will also feature a resource table with information from Ruta 27, the Town of East Hampton Human Services Department and other community organizations.
Community members are invited to meet Latino Advisory Committee members, learn more about available resources and spend time with friends, family and neighbors.
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