On Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m., the New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer franchise will play at home against Toronto FC.

The game marks the Red Bulls’ “Pride Night” in a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community. And the Barnegat Pride group will be joining Garden State Equality and the NJ Unity Chamber of Commerce as special honorees.

“During the opening ceremony, the groups will be recognized and be presented with donations to their organizations,” said Carrie Aspan, Barnegat Pride founder and president. “A portion of every ticket benefits Barnegat Pride. We are extremely grateful and honored to be recognized by the New York Red Bulls. Representatives from each organization will deliver the game ball.”

She formed the organization in 2024 believing the LGBTQ+ community needed “a safe space” in town.

“Barnegat Pride isn’t just for people in the LGBTQ community,” said Aspan. “We welcome family members, friends and people who are interested in supporting us. We’ve held dances, a meet-the-author event, guest speakers, and we have also taken part in other pride events. The cooperation has been incredible.”

The group meets monthly at the township community recreation center in the municipal complex on West Bay Avenue. To help finance some programs, the group recently received a $5,000 grant from the Grunin Foundation. On its website, the foundation states “it provides holistic support through funding, capacity building, and coalition building to organizations who have a shared vision of an equitable, just, and vibrant Central Jersey Shore.”

She said purchasers of the first 50 tickets to the game will get “a once in a lifetime on-field experience” waving a massive Red Bulls parachute at midfield during the entire opening ceremony, including the national anthem and player entrances, all while fireworks are going off.

Aspan said the Red Bulls are very active in the LGBTQ+ community.

“We were extremely overjoyed when they sponsored a table at our second annual Pride Festival in June, and I have been working with their staff regarding anything pride-related since,” she said.

She said Barnegat Pride was also recently recognized as the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Community Corner Spotlight highlighted for the National Women’s Soccer League team Gotham FC, during its pride match in August.

“We set up a table prior to their match and handed out over 800 Barnegat Pride flags,” said Aspan.

For more information about Barnegat Pride events, visit its Facebook Page.