2019 marks the 50th year since Stonewall. Here in Allentown, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is hosting Lehigh Valley Pride 2019 on Sunday, August 18 with the theme “Millions of Moments of Pride.” The theme was chosen to represent the many moments that have led to the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a moment that was pivotal to the beginning of a worldwide movement. But the Lehigh Valley has its own moment every August.
Here are the top 10 reasons Lehigh Valley Pride is an event you won’t want to miss!
- Meet not one, but two nationally-recognized drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11: Silky Nutmeg Ganache and Miss A’keria Chanel Davenport! These two queens are larger than life, and as A’keria says, “everything is bigger in Texas!” In addition to the drag headliners, many local performers including the 2019 King & Queen of Lehigh Valley Pride will grace the stage.
Listen to a live performance by our music headliner, lesbian folk due Emma’s Revolution, the dynamic, award-winning activist duo of Pat Humphries & Sandy O. whose songs have been sung for the Dalai Lama, praised by Pete Seeger, and covered by Holly Near.
- Meet the Grand Marshals! The 2019 Lehigh Valley Pride festival is bringing the tradition of Pride grand marshals back, this year featuring Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel L. Levine and former President of Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Shawn Bausher.
- Get connected to more than 150 vendors, including non-profit organizations, retailers, artisans, and food vendors.
- Sample local libations including craft beers and local mead from Fegley’s Brew Works and The Colony Meadery.
- Give back at Drag Bingo, a benefit for F.A.C.T. Lehigh Valley. Local drag queens (and some special guests) will call be calling bingo all day at Pride to support Lehigh Valley residents affected by HIV/AIDS.
- Pride started as a riot. And this year at Pride, to honor the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, we will kick things off with a Pride Rally to mobilize our community for issues we continue to fight for today.
- It’s fun for the whole family. KidsSpace at Pride provides full-day programming for youth up to age 13, including Drag Queen Story Hour with Miss Amie Vanité, and TeenSpace provides youth-led programming for youth ages 14-21.
- A faithful pride for those who want it! Jewish and Christian on-site, pre-pride worship services are available at 10:30 a.m. to support community members who want to start their day off with prideful worship.
- Pride is open to all. American Sign Language interpretation and reserved seating at the stages for older adults help make Lehigh Valley Pride a more inclusive event.
There have been millions of moments of Pride around the world, and here at home. We invite you to make more moments of pride with us at Lehigh Valley Pride 2019 on Sunday, August 18 from noon - 6 p.m. at JCC Lehigh Valley (702 N. 22nd St. Allentown, PA). For more information, visit bradburysullivancenter.org/pride.
Admission: $5, children ages 12 and under free, youth 14-21 can earn a free ticket to pride through participation in Project SILK.
Parking: Parking will be available just a few blocks away at Muhlenberg College in their parking lots at 23rd and Gordon streets and 23rd and Liberty streets. In addition, street parking is widely available near the festival.
Accessibility: ASL Interpretation is offered at both stages and reserved seating is available at both stages for older adults and people with disabilities. Pride is open to all!
Where to Stay: Homewood Suites by Hilton Allentown-Bethlehem Airport and The Center at Holiday Inn offering special rates.
Gust post contributed by Ariel Torres, Pride Programs Manager, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center.