Up to 2,000 people are expected to turn out for the sixth annual Pride festival in Reading this weekend, which will feature a new event designed to kick off a weekend of LGBT pride.
The Reading Pride Celebration will run noon-6 p.m. July 15 at Centre Park and feature live music and entertainment, food and drinks and a wealth of vendors.
From 9 p.m.-1 a.m. July 13, Pride supporters will gather for a Pre-Pride Party at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Wyomissing. The new event will include music by lesbian band Fierce and DJ Journey. The party is 18 to enter and 21 to drink, and the $5 cover benefits RPC.
Sunday’s festival will feature music by Philadelphia Freedom Band and Darkes Band as well as dance numbers by Reading High School’s dance team, Dramatic Influence and Latin Flair. Entertainers from Genesius Theater will also take the stage, as will area drag performers, such as Miss Reading Pride Celebration 2012 Whitley Nycole DeAire.
RPC secretary Tadd Casner said the event typically brings in a mixed group from throughout the region.
“The crowd is very diverse, and the event is family-friendly,” Casner said. “Young, old, LGBT, straight — it’s a great mix of people.”
Last year’s festival included more than 75 vendors.
Casner said a big draw is also the admission price: just $4.
The park is bordered by Reading’s Historic District, considered the area’s Gayborhood, which Casner said is filled with picturesque Victorian mansions — a significant change of scenery from urban summer Pride events.
“Our event is in a beautiful neighborhood in the shade of the park,” he said. “We’ve actually had past attendees from Philadelphia attend and they told us we were the best Pride they had ever been to.”
Following the festivities, guests are invited to an after-party at Stokesay Castle with music by DJ Evelyn.
For more information, visit www.readingpridecelebration.com.