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PITTSTON — Just a friendly reminder: If your Aug. 15 schedule includes “attend PrideFest 2015,” it moved this year, from Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre to the Tomato Festival grounds in Pittston. The venue shift comes courtesy of serendipity and opportunity offered.
“We lost our center in Wilkes-Barre earlier this year” said Carl Halkyer, co chairman of the board of directors of the Northeast Pennsylvania Rainbow Alliance, which organizes the event. The old office had been in Fox Ridge Plaza in Plains Township, but when the plaza switched ownership the Alliance’s lease wasn’t renewed.
Pittston offered to find the alliance a new home, so the organization moved. “Our research found Pittston is the only municipality in Luzerne County with an anti-discrimination ordinance that includes LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual or Transgender) people, so it was a good fit,” Halkyer added.
Pittston officials also suggested moving the PrideFest event to the city’s festival grounds, which made sense as well. “It’s more centrally located for Lackawanna and Luzerne counties,” Halkyer said.
“It will also bring a whole new look to PrideFest, being in a city instead of in a park.”
Which isn’t a dig at the previous hosts. “Kirby Park and Wilkes-Barre had always been wonderful for us and very open to us, and certainly helped us over the years.” The event thrived there.
The alliance formed in 2004 and opted to have a small picnic about two years later, Halkyer recalled. That picnic drew “just 50 or 60 people. “
PrideFest launched in 2008, and has kept growing. “Last year we had well over 1,500 people,” he said.
The rapid growth in attendance may be attributable to shifting public attitudes, Halkyer speculated, culminating for many with the U.S. Supreme Court’s June ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. In a 5-4 vote that prompted rejoicing and rebuke, the court essentially ruled that same-sex marriages are legal in all states.
“This is a pivotal year, with the marriage equality ruling and things like that, there’s a lot to celebrate this year.”
This year’s PrideFest runs from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $5. Along with live music “there are lots of vendors, non-profit organizations, and resources for the LGBT community.” Halkyer said.
“It’s a fun day to celebrate, and it’s open to the entire community.”