Erie Celebrates Pride Weekend June 28-29

Erie's gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community will come together the weekend of June 28-29 to celebrate Pride 2008 with a picnic, march/rally, and social opportunities.

Festivities get underway Saturday, June 28, with the Pride Erie Picnic at Rotary Pavilion, Beach 7 at Presque Isle State Park. The Pride Picnic runs from 1-6 p.m. with food being served from 2-4 p.m. The Pride March will step off from The Zone Dance Club at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 29, with the Pride Rally beginning in Perry Square at 2 p.m.

The picnic will offer hot dogs, Sloppy Joes, chicken, potatoes and beverages. Those attending are asked to bring a dish to share. Paper plates and plastic silverware will be available. Alcohol is prohibited by state law, as are vendor sales. The annual "family portrait" will be taken at 4 p.m. Donations to support the picnic will be gratefully accepted. People may register in advance and/or volunteer online at:

http://www.eriegaynews.com/pride/register.php. Individuals who would like to volunteer may also contact Michael Mahler at (814) 456-9833 or email info@eriegaynews.com.

Participants are also asked to bring a non-perishable item for the Second Harvest Food Bank of NW PA. Friends, family and children are welcome to attend. There will be games, a sand castle building contest for children 3-12, as well as a talent show.

This year marks the 10

th anniversary of Erie's first Gay Pride March/Rally held in 1998. Individuals participating in this year's Erie Pride March should gather at The Zone, 133 W. 18th St., at 12 noon on Sunday, June 28. The marchers will head down State Street to Erie's Perry Square where the rally will be held.

A variety of vendors, informational exhibits, speakers and musical entertainment will be featured at the rally, which is sponsored by Erie Gay Pride, Inc. Food and legal beverages will be available at Coconut Joe's on North Park Row, directly across from Perry Square. Coconut Joe's will be open from 1-5 p.m. to help everyone celebrate Erie Pride '08.

Headlining this year's Pride rally will be noted magician Eric Brouman from Cleveland and the Pittsburgh rock band "School of Athens" (see separate article). 

Information about the Pride March/Rally is available at

www.eriegaypride.org, by email at eriegaypride@gmail.com, or by calling 866-229-1974 (toll free). You may also volunteer online at: http://www.eriegaynews.com/pride/register.php.

What would Pride Weekend be without the Saturday night festivities at Erie's alternative night spots. Both The Zone Dance Club and Craze Night Club, 1607 Raspberry St. Both clubs will be offering Pride celebrations to help everyone get into the festive, Pride mood. Check out their web sites for more information about specific Pride plans.