Erie Pride Weekend 2025

from Patrick Hiller, VP of NW PA Pride Alliance

What a fantastic weekend celebrating Pride in Erie.

From all of us on the board at NWPA Pride, we want to give a huge thank you to everyone who came out to Pride on the Bay and the Pride Parade. It was incredible to see our community come together with so much energy and love.

Last year, the weather had other plans for our first Pride on the Bay at Liberty Park, but what a difference a year makes! Saturday started a little gloomy, but the clouds cleared out just in time to make for a perfect day. We couldn't have asked for a better afternoon on the waterfront.

The park was packed with activity with over 100 vendors, community organizations, and food trucks filling Liberty Park with something for everyone. While folks browsed the tents, DJ Tony G kept the music going all day long. In the afternoon, Tony G was joined by his co-host, the hilarious National Comedy Queen 2025, Debbie Does Drag, on the Rebich Investments Amphitheater mainstage, featuring drag queens and kings from around the tri-state area. The wide variety of performers was a huge hit with the local crowd.

Of course, no big event is without a few bumps - especially our first year running the event at Liberty Park. Despite a few hiccups, our wonderful community rolled with the proverbial punches and kept the party going, long after our event ended. Saturday night, The Zone Dance Club was the place to be for Pride's after party, with a packed house dancing and celebrating into the early morning.

Then, on Sunday, we were right back at it for the Pride Parade. It was awesome to see so many people lining up early, ready to march down State Street. By the time we stepped off, the sidewalks were full of people waving Pride flags, and the energy was festive. Seeing all the different groups marching, handing out candy, and cheering with joy was a powerful reminder of what our community is all about.

The parade ended at Perry Square, where some food vendors were waiting. It was great to see People's Pride organizing a grassroots get-together there. That's what we love to see! For next year, we absolutely encourage more of these informal meetups, picnics, and parties at our official events. Let's fill the city with Pride!

My favorite thing about being involved in these events is witnessing the sheer diversity of the people who come out. I saw young and old. I saw Black, white, and brown faces. I saw LGBTQ+ folks and allies standing together. It was a beautiful, colorful display of love, joy, hope, and yes, resistance. That's what community looks like. That's what Pride is. We're stronger together than when we stand alone..

While the NWPA Pride Alliance is starting to think about plans for next year, we're not done with 2025 yet! June may be over, but Pride is year-round:

• Meadville Pride on the Diamond is coming up on Saturday, July 26th, from 1 pm to 5 pm at Diamond Park in Meadville.
• Our 32nd Annual Pride Picnic will be at Presque Isle on Saturday, August 16th.
• And the very next day, Sunday, August 17th, is Pride Day at Waldameer!

Details for all our events can always be found on our website: nwpapride.org.

We have to give a massive shout-out to our sponsors and donors. These events simply wouldn't happen without their support. A special thanks to our major sponsors this year: Erie Food Co-op, Central Outreach Wellness, and Erie Insurance.

And finally, thank you. Thank you to our volunteers who worked so hard. Thank you to the vendors and performers who made the day so special. And thank you to every single person who showed up and shared their Pride with us. We can't wait to see you all again next year.

Photos

Also view photos here.