This year on Saturday, May 21, over 75 local businesses and organizations were represented at booths at Medway’s annual Pride Day. Thirteen of the booths belonged to members of the Medway Business Council. As local families streamed through the site at the Middle School, taking time to pick up lots of free giveaways, shop and play games, listen to music, and sample from the many food concessions, they also got to learn about local products and services.

Many businesses operate on the “business to consumer” model – their products or services are usable by the average homeowner and family – so having a booth at an event like Medway Pride Day is a natural way to be visible. Paul Rao, Broker/Owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Page Realty says, “My company has been participating in Medway Pride Day since its inception. It’s a great opportunity to connect with our neighbors, friends, and colleagues. We’re certainly proud to be in Medway and this is a great way to give back to the community.”

Ann Sherry, Senior Vice President at Charles River Bank, says, “For Charles River Bank, Medway Pride Day affords a wonderful opportunity to reach out to our community. We can visit with parents, children, business owners and others who love our town and want to share in the spirit of the day. It’s a great platform to learn more about what people need from their community bank and provide valuable information about creative solutions we offer.” Ann adds, “Charlie, our mascot and the leader of the CRB Super Squad, loves visiting with the children. He even got to be the official starter of the Medway Pride Day bike parade.”

The food vendors get lots of attention. Tina Chemini of T.C. Scoops enjoys “being involved with Pride Day as a vendor – it’s a chance to see our customers, new and old, outside of the store. We enjoy walking up and down all of the aisles to see the other vendors and always look forward to the friendly competition that exists among the other sweet treat vendors such as cotton candy, Kona Ice and kettle corn. Every facet of Medway life seems to be represented at Pride Day and we are so proud to be a part of it.”

For “business to business” operations, the value of the event is a little less obvious, because you never know if business owners are going to attend the event and take time to seek out products or services they can use at their own business, but it’s always worth becoming more familiar with your community. “By having a table, I was able to meet some business people I hadn’t met before, who hadn’t known I operate a graphic arts studio locally, and make contacts with people to whom I can refer others when they need those services, as well as find potential business opportunities,” says Jennifer Powell of Jennifer Powell Art.

Overall, the cooperative weather and enthusiastic crowds made for a great day out, and if you haven’t been to a Medway Pride Day, we suggest you drop by next year for the festivities – and consider participating if you own a local business. Andrea Crow, owner of Pangea Cuisines and co-organizer of Medway Pride Day this year says, “It was a lot of fun working with everyone. I look forward to next year to do the same!”