EASTIE PRIDE DAY
est. 1989

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Our Mission

Eastie Pride Day is an annual summer community event that is used to highlight the values and qualities of the East Boston neighborhood. In doing so, Eastie Pride Day both fosters a sense of unity and pride for all East Bostonians, as well as celebrates the diverse cultural backgrounds and achievements of our residents through a day of celebration. Bringing together thousands of people from one community provides the perfect opportunity for people to make new friends, reconnect with old friends, and discover all that is good about East Boston. Thanks to the support of countless volunteers, community partners, and attendees, East Boston has been able to celebrate Eastie Pride Day for over 30 years. 

This annual event at Piers Park includes:

  • Kids activities such as animal shows, photo opportunities with television characters, and arts and crafts

  • Featured local musical entertainment, dance entertainment, and a karate demonstration

  • Fun-filled contests such as pie eating, sack race, and water balloon toss

  • Free food and refreshments

  • Information tables with community organizations like East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, the Boston Election Department, and the Boston Elderly Commission

Each of these features are free to the public, allowing families and neighbors of all backgrounds to join together in celebration.

 
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OUR HISTORY

This annual community tradition was created by Sal LaMattina, who recognized the need for increased pride in the community of East Boston. In the late 1980’s, many East Boston residents were becoming disenchanted with East Boston and moving to other towns. In many of the community meetings and individual conversations at the time, residents spoke about not having the pride in their community that they once had. People looked back to the days of Wood Island Park with many family picnics and recreation activities with a sense of sadness that this was not here in East Boston in the late 1980’s.

Determined to bring back the pride to East Boston, Sal LaMattina organized the first Eastie Pride Day in 1989. Community people from many agencies and countless individuals were quick to work together for the good of East Boston. People put aside differences that usually would keep them apart throughout the year to work side by side in planning and carrying out a wonderful day for the community. More than 30 years later, the same holds true. The East Boston community is rapidly changing but throughout all of this change – the good and the bad – it is important now more than ever to remind residents what we all have in common – our love and pride for East Boston. 

In the years since Eastie Pride Day began, it has now become a staple event in the neighborhood – kids and adults alike look forward to the event every year. The local business community steps up to support the event through a combination of financial and in-kind donations. Dozens of residents dedicate their day as volunteers – scooping slush, handing out balloons, preparing food, cleaning/setting up the park, etc. Youth perform dance routines and karate demos, sharing their talent with their neighbors.

Our Board

 

Liana Lamattina

Born and raised in East Boston, Liana LaMattina remains dedicated to public service and community activism. Her father, Sal LaMattina, founded Eastie Pride day in 1989. In 2019, Liana took the reins as Chair of the Eastie Pride Day Committee, continuing the beloved tradition of Eastie Pride Day for another generation.

 

Kathryn Emerick LoGRASSO

Katy lives in East Boston with her husband Charlie and their baby Hailey. She moved here 4 years ago and is grateful how warm she was welcomed to the neighborhood. She is a special education teacher and enjoys working with the youth in the community.

Angel donahue-rodriguez

Angel lives in East Boston with his fiance, Liana, and their dog, Logan. A dedicated public servant, Angel has embraced the neighborhood of East Boston as his forever home and is excited to continue the tradition of Eastie Pride Day.

 

Adrian madaro

Adrian, the state representative for East Boston, has lived in the neighborhood his entire life and comes from a long line of community activists. He has served on the board of several local nonprofits and remains involved in all aspects of the neighborhood. Adrian can be seen (and certainly heard) throughout East Boston at every type of event and is happy to help plan one of his all-time favorites, Eastie Pride Day. Adrian is excited for his baby Matteo to experience his first EPD and all this wonderful community has to offer.

Charlie Lograsso

A lifelong resident of East Boston, Charlie is passionate about the history of East Boston. He has worked on several historical preservation projects within the community. He is vice chair to The East Boston Museum & Historical Society, board member of the Eagle Hill Civic Association, advisory board member to PLAN East Boston, and also coached youth sports in the community.

 

Ariel Madaro

Ariel lives and works in East Boston and loves this vibrant neighborhood. She remembers the joy of her first Eastie Pride Day and is excited to now be part of the planning committee. Ariel moved to Eastie about a decade ago, where she crashed with her boyfriend’s parents while they saved up to buy a house. She and her now-husband Adrian own a home on Eagle Hill that they share with their son Matteo, dog Rusty, and cat Koko.