2019 Pridefest Again Sets Record

from NW PA Pride Alliance

NW PA Pride Alliance held a very successful Pridefest on Saturday, June 29. It is estimated that at least 2,500 people attended the event, an all-time record for a local Pride event, and even larger than the record set last year.

The Pride Parade stepped off from the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St. Parade units were NW PA Pride Alliance, Erie Insurance, TransFamily of NWPA Transgender Support Group, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE), Erie Regional GSA, LBT Women, Pennsylvania Equality Project, Wabtec, Community United Church, Wayside Presbyterian Church, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Eerie Roller Girls, Erie Playhouse, Erie County Democratic Party, Wolf/Fetterman for PA and other elected officials, Keystone Progress Erie, Erie Education Association-EEA, Erie Otters, First Spiritualist Church of Erie, Highmark, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates, T-Mobile, Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Erie, Erie Bayhawks, Star 104, and Rebecca Mae. There were at least 700 people that were in the parade, surpassing last year's record. Mayor Joe Schember and several of his staff marched at the front of the parade.

Speakers at Pridefest included City Councilmember Liz Allen and City of Erie Mayor Joe Schember. PA Commissioners Ciora Thomas, Jason Landau Goodman, Tyler Titus and Michael Mahler read and presented a proclamation from Gov Thomas Wolf. Performers included Michelle Michaels (co-host), Misty Michaels Kall, Alysin Wonderland, Miss Erie 2019 Rebecca Mae, Jill Jamison, King Maximo, Snarebear, and Priscilla Godzilla. The City of Erie again flew a rainbow flag and lit up the fountain in Perry Square East with rainbow colors. Over 100 Pride flags were flown in the City of Erie for Pride month, thanks to the efforts of Steve Huefner of GEAE.

Info tables and vendors included SafeNet Center, Adagio Health, American Civil Liberties Union of PA Northwest Chapter and NW PA NOW, Community United Church, Crime Victim Center of Erie County, Damsel In Defense, Drenched Fur, Eerie Roller Girls, Erie County Democratic Party LGBTQIA+ Caucus and Erie County Democratic Party, Erie LGBTQIA+ History Project, Erie Regional GSA, Families United Network, Inc., First Spiritualist Church of Erie, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE), Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Industrial Row, Lake Erie Counseling Associates, LBT Women, LECOM Allies, Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Equality Project, Pennsylvania Youth Congress, PNC Bank, Self Advocates United as 1, Inc., T-Mobile, Temple Anshe Hesed, TransFamily of NWPA Transgender Support Group, UPMC Hamot, US Census Bureau, Whispering Lake Grove, 419 Artifacts, Bold and Elegant Jewelry, Chalk It Up!, Dee Fish, Dragonfly Lake Scents, Dragons Union Jewelry, Elite Jewelry By Jasmine, Gardens of Eternity, LuLaRoe by Anita, Sugar T's Smell Goods, The Cookielady, Three 22 Fragrances, Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Dobbin's Dogs, Fat Boys Phillys food truck, Kona Ice of Erie, Shawarma Station, Signature Concessions, SorcERIE Food Truck, Andora's Bubble Tea Shop, Butch Hulings Memorial Scholarship, E3 Youth Lgbtqa Summit, Erie County United, Erie County Young Dems, Erie Homes for Children and Adults (EHCA), Erie Playhouse, Erie Sisters & Brothers Transgender Support Group, Erie VA Medical Center and Erie Vet Center, Jonas Photography, Raiden Kubiak, Safe Harbor Behavioral Health of UPMC Hamot, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Sundae Vegan Bakery, and Wayside Presbyterian Church. Additionally, Erie County Department of Health and NW PA Rural AIDS Alliance tested 31 people for HIV and syphilis, an all-time record.

Pride was also bigger and better this year, with additional tables being setup in Perry Square East.

Pride events would not be possible without the support of NW PA Pride Alliance's generous donors: Erie Insurance, Erie County Department of Health (ECDH), NWPA Tobacco Control Program, UPMC Hamot, Erie Gay News, Hospice of Metropolitan Erie, Lion's Den Adult Super Store, Northwest Pennsylvania AIDS Alliance, SafeNet Center, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE), Lake Erie Counseling Associates, Mooney's Bakery, and UPMC for You, Pride was also made possible by NW PA Pride Alliance's board and the help of many including Brenda and Macy's staff, Doug Anderson, Johauna, Audrey, Julie, Amber, Sean, and David.

Photos

Also view photos here.