Thanks to all who made another great picnic!

by Michael Mahler

The 18th Annual Erie Gay News Family Pride Picnic, held Saturday, June 12 at the Rotary Pavilion was a great success!

About 330 people, equal to last year's all time record, enjoyed a day of friends, food and fun. We also collected 127 pounds of food and $30 for the Second Harvest Food Bank of NW PA. Thanks so much for everyone's generosity!

We are deeply grateful for our generous donors, who help make the picnic possible. This year's donors include Anna Leadem LCSW, BeautiControl, Coca-Cola/Erie, Country Fair, Covenant of Brighid's Haven, Crime Victim Center of Erie County, Erie Sisters, Glass Growers, JR's Last Laugh, Latino's Restaurant & Bar, LBT Women, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Erie Affiliate, Pepsi Bottling Group, Pie in the Sky Cafe, Phoenix Rising Productions, qWaves, Smith's Hot Dogs, The Latonia Theatre, Two Friends Italian Market, Walmart #2278, Wegman's W Ridge Road and Zone Dance Club.

The picnic takes a lot of work, so we also want to thank our marvelous volunteers: Alex Bolla, Amanda Mulder, Andrea, Anthony S, Bruce Shrout, Carl, Chelsea Hardin, Chris, Collis, Crystal, Deb Spilko, DJ J-ROC, Dok, Erin M. M., Gary, James von Loewe, Janice Hanusik, Jeff, Jeremy, Joe Totleben, Johauna, Julie, Keith, Laura, Lori Horner, Maureen Koseff, Michelle, Michelle M. Haskell. Misty Harvey, Rox, Season, T-Risha, Tara, Terry and Tracy.

Info tables at the picnic included American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)- NWPA Chapter, Community United Church, Delta Foundation, Drenched Fur, Erie County Democratic Party, Family United Counseling, JR's Last Laugh, LBT Women, Mahoning Valley Pride Center, NW PA Rural AIDS Alliance, Pennsylvania Coaltion to End Homelessness, PFLAG Erie/Crawford County and Sestak for Senate.

In addition to the face photos, we also added the Love Is Not a Crime photo station. People could have their photos taken in a mug shot. Photos will be included in the Erie Gay News photo gallery and also online. Thanks to Crystal, Season and others for this. We expect this will be an ongoing project.