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BUCHANAN — June is Pride month and a local organization is getting ready to celebrate.

Pride on The Common returns to Buchanan  from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 30. More than 450 people attended Buchanan’s inaugural Pride on The Common 2023 last year. Pride Committee Chair Adam Burck said the theme for this year’s event is “Celebrating our Visibility” and went on to mention Pride events taking place next month, including:

• Harbor Country Pride – June 2-8 
• Cass County PrideFest/Dowagiac – June 8 
• Michiana PrideFest/Niles – June 15 
• Twin Cities PrideFest/Benton Harbor – June 22 

The Buchanan Area Senior Center, a non-profit charitable organization, is a community focal point on aging. The BASC offers programs and services that promote physical, social, and mental well-being, including exercise, recreation, crafts, Senior Nutrition Services, transport to medical appointments, food commodities, a Senior Community Garden and more. During the pandemic, older adults suffered isolation. According to the BASC, studies found that LGBTQ+ seniors suffered greater isolation as they are twice as likely to live alone, so it started a monthly LGBTQ+ social to build social connections and support. The group has grown and is organizing Buchanan’s first Pride event on The Common. 

To celebrate the Pride and Visibility in its area, the BASC Pride Committee has planned a vendor market  and concert.  The Ultrafab band returns as the headliner this year, and the ever-popular DJ Chuck  Fry will open and close the concert. The program features the following musical performances:

• 4 p.m.: Vendor booths and food trucks open 
• 5 p.m.: DJ Chuck Fry @chuck.fry.35 
• 6 p.m.: Ultrafab @ultrafabband 
• 8 p.m.: DJ Chuck Fry 

For more details on the event, sponsors, participating businesses and more, follow Buchanan Pride on Instagram and Facebook at buchananmipride. The event is presented by Lifted dispensary, sponsored by Cannavista, High  Profile, Honor Credit Union, Pinnacle and 7 Engines and produced by the Buchanan Area Senior Center’s  Pride Committee. There are also several participating businesses, including Blue Paw Pet Spa, Gustavsen Café, Sweet Shop Café Italiano. A full list will be announced on June 3 online at www.thebasc.org/Pride.