Pride season is getting underway, and New Hope will kick off its annual LGBT celebration this weekend.
The ninth-annual New Hope Celebrates will feature parties, cultural activities and a parade and vendor fair that is expected to draw guests from throughout the region to the northern Philly suburb May 13-20.
The parade will set off at noon May 19 with singers, dancers, politicos and LGBT leaders. A block party and a vendor fair with more than 25 merchants and nonprofits will also be held throughout the day.
The week leading up to the parade will feature a range of Pride-themed activities.
New to the festival is “Clue Into New Hope,” a weeklong scavenger hunt that will allow Pridegoers to explore the town and all of its LGBT offerings.
The Raven, 385 York Road, will host a number of socials throughout the week — including a T-dance and karaoke party May 13, an all-male review May 17 and a “Friday Night OUT!” dance party May 18.
The venue also will host the post-parade party at 9:30 p.m. May 19, with proceeds going to support New Hope Celebrates.
Triumph Brewing Company will stage a Girls Night Out party from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. May 18, and women will also gather for a Ladies 2000 T-Dance from 3-9 p.m. May 20 at Havana, 105 S. Main St.
In addition to the host of parties, New Hope Celebrates will also feature a Broadway-themed bingo game, 6-10 p.m. May 16 at the Eagle Volunteer Fire Company, to raise funds for Fighting AIDS Continuously Together Bucks County, and a photography exhibit of the male form by Bucks County photographer Gordon Nebeker May 17 at The Lodge, 400 W. Bridge St.
Youth supporters can partake in an outdoor movie screening at 8 p.m. May 17 at New Hope-Solebury High School, 182 York Road, sponsored by the school’s gay-straight alliance, which will also compete in a softball game May 20 at 1 p.m.
Visitors looking for the sights of New Hope can board the Pride Train, at 8 p.m. May 18 for a new event this year.
The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad train will take guests on a two-hour scenic ride through Bucks County, which will include an open bar, light appetizers and live entertainment.
Those exploring the town that night will be treated to the first fireworks display of the year, which will launch on the Delaware River at 9:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.newhopecelebrates.com.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].