A past Pride Festival
International LGBTQ+ Pride Month may be over, but Harrisburg is still celebrating!
For 34 years, the Pride Festival of Central Pennsylvania has conducted its annual celebration of the LGBTQ community on the final Saturday of July. Yes, it’s hot! Yes, it’s muggy. Sometimes we’re drenched by a passing shower. In spite of the weather, the members of the LGBTQ community, along with our friends, supportive politicos, compassionate religious affiliations, and supportive corporate partners, gather in Harrisburg to celebrate our vibrant community.
As president of PFCPA since late 2021, I have never tired of seeing the joy of those who come out every year to express the pride of who they are, of whom they love, and of whom they have selected as their chosen families.
Likewise, I’m always encouraged by the many local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and religious groups that reach out every year to either sponsor or exhibit at the festival—some without being prompted and others that reach out in the hope of having a place on the Pride festival grid.
Two Months of Pride
Most of the world celebrates Pride in June. Why does Harrisburg do it in July? In the 1980s and early ‘90s saw many from Pennsylvania’s capital traveled to Pride festivals in Philadelphia, New York City, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and D.C., all of which occurred in June. In response, PFCPA moved its festival to the end of July so that those in Harrisburg could visit these out-of-area festivals without missing their hometown event. As time went by, new local festivals, including those in Gettysburg, Lancaster, Lititz and York established themselves in the traditional Pride month of June. PFCPA felt it was wise to continue Harrisburg’s celebration in July.
Along with New Cumberland’s annual Pride picnic, the Pride Festival of Central Pennsylvania has become the most well-attended Pride festival in central Pennsylvania, a title PFCPA has claimed since 1992. Ski Roundtop, the HACC campus and Harrisburg’s Riverfront Park have hosted the event in the past, and in 2018, rains forced the festival to change its location and, through the effort of a few state representatives, PFCPA ended up in its current location—behind the state Capitol building in Soldiers’ Grove, commonly known as Soldier’s Grove. We’re proud to say we are the only Pride festival in the country that takes place on the grounds of a state capitol.
June and July host a spectrum of activities for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Pride nights at local eateries (thank you Sammy’s Authentic Italian Restaurant, The Millworks and Outback Steakhouse!) are but a few. In fact, we’re excited to add Sweet T & Greens to the list this coming July 15!
In 2022, we resurrected Harrisburg’s Pride Parade, and the 2026 festival will begin on June 25th when we march down 2nd Street carrying a colossal 100-foot Pride flag!
Our Second Sunday in the City dance parties on the Cielo deck of Harrisburg’s 704 Lounge have proven to be a success that brings together gay and straight for an afternoon of fun and community.
Local Midtown and downtown bars recently took part in the first Pride Bar Crawl sponsored by PFCPA. With the help of these LGBTQ+-supportive establishments, the event was a roaring success and next year’s will be even better!
In an attempt to fulfill our goal of building bridges, PFCPA, along with PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), set up a booth at last month’s Jubilee Day festivities in Mechanicsburg. Amazed families and visitors approached us expressing gratitude for our presence. And though we had a New Testament thrown at us, we knew that being there was the positive ray of hope that many who question their sexual identity needed.
We’ve also initiated the Susquehanna LGBTQ Film Festival by showing themed shorts and movies during one evening in June, July and August, at Karma Entertainment Complex followed by a three-day event at the Midtown Cinema on Sept. 11 to 13! The film festival committee intends to expand these cinematic offerings throughout the year!
Pride is not only a time of parties and raucous celebrations. It’s also a time to reflect about those we have lost due to HIV, cancer, gay bashing, street and domestic violence. To this end, we will once again stand in remembrance of those we’ve lost at our annual Pride Candlelight Vigil on Thursday July 23 at Harrisburg’s Italian Lake beginning at 7 p.m.
More than Just a Festival
The Pride Festival of Central Pennsylvania donates a third of its net funds to other local nonprofit organizations, including LGBT Center of Central PA; Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus; Cadence, Central PA’s Treble Chorus; Metropolitan Community Church of the Spirit and other LGBTQ+-friendly nonprofit organizations and churches.
PFCPA’s goal of building bridges will only grow stronger as we add more events: Pride bowling and skating parties, more LGBTQ+ film nights, concerts and, of course, our wonderful drag queens and kings who have figured prominently in Pride’s fundraising efforts over the past 34 years!
Please visit www.CentralPAPride.org for information about us and our upcoming events!
Happy PRIDE to everyone! We look forward to seeing you!
Dr. Eric Selvey is president of the Pride Festival of Central Pennsylvania.
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