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‘Smashing success’: WJXT & CW17 attend 2022 River City Pride festival

News4JAX Insiders received GMG ‘Swag Bags’ during the community event

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News4JAX

CW17 & WJXT are proud media sponsors of the 2022 River City Pride parade, festival

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – WJXT & CW17 were proud media sponsors during the 2022 River City Pride festival at Riverside Park on Sunday.

The energy was high and the vibes were great during the beautiful fall day. The community event had it all — entertainers, vendors, speakers and more.

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Related: Hundreds come out for River City Pride Festival in Riverside | News4JAX receives ‘Safe Newsroom’ designation from PFLAG for LGBTQ+ community

News4JAX, CW17 and River City Live team members had the opportunity to speak with dozens of community members. Festival attendees visited the News4JAX tent and spun the CW17 wheel! Those that signed up to become a News4JAX Insider received Graham Media Group “Swag Bags.”

The event drew all ages — families, couples, children, grandparents and friends — that enjoyed being surrounded by love and acceptance.

“Congratulations to River City Pride for putting on a perfect event,” Kathryn Bonfield, WJXT-TV News Director, said. “I think everyone who attended this year’s Pride Fest will agree it was a smashing success. The live entertainment, artists, vendors, and sponsors went all out to put on a fantastic festival. The weather was the icing on the cake. News4JAX.com provided drawstring bags, posters, and other trinkets to everyone who came by our tent, which was totally awesome! We had hundreds of items to share and promise to bring much more next year. Thank you to all for stopping by and taking a spin at the wheel!”

Related: UNF only Florida school recognized as a ‘Best of the Best’ university for LGBTQ+ students by Campus Pride

Eventgoers danced, laughed, sang, and promoted the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion!

“I hope our presence in the Pride festivities this year was as gratifying and fulfilling to everyone who attended as it was for us,” Ciara Earrey, a longtime photojournalist at News4JAX, said. “Pride is always a warm, welcoming and fun environment. We were so PROUD to be there.”

This is the third year the News4JAX and CW17 team has participated in Jacksonville Pride events — first in 2019, then in 2021, and now in 2022.

“Every year Pride gets better and better,” Carianne Luter, Social Media Producer at News4JAX, said. “Being surrounded by like-minded community members who are there to be ‘loud and proud’ is what makes the festival stand out from every other event in Duval County. I am proud to be part of a company that promotes love and acceptance, and that adores Jacksonville just as much as I do.”

Some News4JAX viewers tagged us in posts — thanking us for being part of the community event.

Community members spun the CW17 wheel and signed up to become and Insider on Sunday! Insiders received Graham Media Group "Swag Bags."

One family posted a video on Instagram of their children dancing with their GMG bags.

Mobile users click here to see the WJXT & CW17 photo gallery


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