Sunday’s blistering heat did little to quell the spirits of the record-breaking crowd at Philadelphia Pride.
Although temps topped out at 92 degrees, more than 10,000 people braved the sun and the sweat to show their pride at the 24th annual festival at Penn’s Landing, the largest crowd the event has ever seen.
The heat did get to be too much for a handful of guests: One had to be transported to the hospital and a number of people were treated onsite by medics.
Many Pridegoers cooled off in the Penn’s Landing fountains and crowded under the trees, and Franny Price, executive director of Philly Pride Presents, said that overall the temps didn’t dampen the day.
“I don’t think the heat had much of an impact,” she said. “Rain can definitely hurt the event but you expect the heat in June.”
There were no arrests reported, and the usual antigay protestors were no-shows.
About 140 vendors tabled at the event, and 57 contingents marched in the parade. The parade did get held up for a bit at Seventh and Market streets, which Price said she’s looking into, but otherwise went off without a hitch.
“Other than the delay, everything was perfect,” she said. “It was the best Pride I can remember.”
The parade included participation from nonprofits, corporations and national groups, and the winner’s list showed the diversity.
Winning the grand prize Fruit Bowl award was the Tabu Sports Float, which featured performers from Tabu’s Sinful Sundays, Liberty City Drag Kings & Burlesque and Dumpsta Players. The group also won for Best Bar.
Also a big winner of the day was headliner Wendy Williams.
The crowd chanted her name and she was swamped with fans as she went to and from the stage.
“People just loved Wendy Williams,” Price said. “She was a huge hit.”
Sunday’s events were previewed Friday night in the Gayborhood with the first-ever Pride kickoff block party.
Price said the party, held on 12th Street, will return next year.
“It was a total success,” she said. “We heard from many people that it was a wonderful way to kick off Pride weekend. It was contained, right in the Gayborhood so it was really controlled and everybody in the area got great business from it. Everybody seemed really happy with how it turned out.”
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].