Big Gay Hudson Valley creates community at Orchard Disco – Times Union
A proper disco requires a few key elements: ABBA on the speakers, glittery eye shadow … apples on the dance floor?
At least that’s what you’ll find at Big Gay Hudson Valley’s Orchard Disco, happening Saturday, Sept. 3 at Wilklow Orchards in Highland. In this fourth and final installment of this summer series, attendees can look forward to a night of shimmery tunes, food trucks and a special-edition cider, made by Bad Seed.
Big Gay Hudson Valley is a gay pride and events organization. Founded in 2008 by husbands Stephan Hengst and Patrick Decker, it’s a testament to the couple’s love for the area. After meeting at the Culinary Institute of America, Hengst and Decker decided to plant roots in the Hudson Valley after discovering the region’s vibrant queer community.
“People from all walks of life, who seem to have covered every corner of the globe, find their way to the Hudson Valley and help it to be a place where, as a queer person, you can connect with other members of your tribe and create a really amazing tapestry of people,” Decker said.
Husbands Stephan Hengst (left) and Patrick Decker (right) met at the Culinary Institute of America and founded Big Gay Hudson Valley in 2008.
Provided by Big Gay Hudson Valley
The orchard disco is part of BGHV’s Queer Summer Nights series and was originally designed as a COVID-safe event in 2021. It draws an increasingly diverse crowd, reflective of a growing queer community in the Hudson Valley. The orchard’s dance floor often boasts a colorful combination of Gen-Zers in “Daddy” jerseys getting their groove on next to their moms, beaming with pride in various Ann Taylor Loft accouterments. Toddlers in cat ears and tutus (designers unknown) can be spotted stomping their feet to songs that were released before their parents were even born.
“The fabric of the queer community has evolved so quickly and it’s quite common to see lots more young, non-binary, and trans people come to our events in addition to queer parents and allies to the community,” Decker said.
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Hengst and Decker say they have tried to create events that can appeal to as many people as possible. That includes partners like Wilklow Orchards in Highland, which is “kid- and dog-friendly and have alcohol available without making it a priority so families and sober people can attend and have a good time,” Decker said.
Partnerships like that are hard to find, which is why Big Gay Hudson Valley is excited to keep the party going with the Highland orchard. Together the two organizations are collaborating on another event: Out on the Farm: An All-Ages Queer Fall Festival, coming up on Saturday, Oct. 1.
But this month, Decker is excited to relish in one last far-out night under the stars.
“It’s really a magical experience being outside on a warm summer night, under a disco ball, dancing the night away with your friends and community.”