NW PA Pride Alliance Hosts Annual Picnic at Presque Isle

by Michael Mongera

On August 14th, 2021, NW PA Pride Alliance held the 28th Annual Pride Picnic at Presque Isle. The event was located at the Rotary Pavilion, next to Beach 7. The LGBTQIA community of Erie was invited for a day of fun, friends, and food provided by the Pride Alliance. The event was also a part of 814 Day. A day dedicated to the city of Erie and the communities that make it possible.

The picnic started at 2 pm to give back to the LGBTQIA community, where members could freely express their pride and visit information tables for organizations. Organizations with info tables at the picnic included Adagio Health, Allegheny Health Network (AHN), Cathedral of St Paul, Crime Victim Center of Erie County, Erie Homes for Children and Adults (EHCA), Family Services of NW PA, Journey To A Trauma Informed Life, Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, New York Life, PNC Bank, SafeNet Center, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, TransFamily of NWPA Transgender Support Group, and UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor. Otto of the Erie Otters also paid a visit! A raffle was later held for an array of prizes such as LGBTQIA merch from local Erie vendors.

During the event, the Erie County Health Department was also giving out COVID-19 vaccinations to the public., while The Central Outreach Wellness Center offered free HIV/AIDS and STD testing as well.

The event was a very enjoyable time. After a previous summer kept most of the community inside, the perfect weather and joyful faces reminded us of the sun behind the clouds. Until next summer, there is a rainbow at the end of the rain.

Leftover perishable food was taken to the Erie City Mission and 401 pounds of non-perishable items were donated from the picnic to Second Harvest Food Bank of NW PA.

Thanks to the 2021 Pride season donors: Central Outreach Wellness Center (Erie), NWPA Tobacco Control Program, UPMC Hamot, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE), Lake Erie Counseling Associates, Lion's Den Adult Super Store, Chicory Hill Herbs, Mooney's Bakery, SafeNet Center, State Farm Insurance Agent Natalie Braddock, UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor, Scentsy by Paige Lindy, Erie Otters, Erie Seawolves, Altered State Distillery, Homemade by Rachel, and Hoodlum Wipes & More.