Come rain or shine, last weekend proved that the local LGBT community was ready and excited for OutFest.
Despite the dark skies and morning rain, nearly 25,000 people surfaced in the Gayborhood Oct. 7, about 15,000 less than last year. About 140 vendors were scheduled to attend the annual National Coming Out Day celebration, and 25 did not show up.
Franny Price, president of Philly Pride Presents, which stages the event, said the average is 12 no-show vendors.
“We still had organizations showing up that weren’t registered but wanted a table,” Price said.
The only disappointment was the presence of the antigay Repent America protesters, who, according to Price, kept interrupting the entertainment at 13th and Locust streets.
“They kept going near the stage and we had the cops move them,” she said.
The Philadelphia Freedom Band followed the protesters around to drown out their noise — a tradition that was interrupted this year by police.
“They said that the band was obstructing the protesters’ freedom of speech,” Price said.
No arrests were made, although there were a few minor incidents.
“It was the usual silly, little stuff but we’re not a destructive or violent community,” Price said.
As for the weather, Price gives all the credit to divine intervention.
“The rain literally stopped at 12:30 [p.m.] and started again at 6:30 [p.m.]. God was with us,” she said.
Both the awards ceremony and the entertainment ran smoothly, with no cancellations from participants or entertainers.
Price credited fellow coordinators and volunteers for allowing the event to run smoothly.
“I am so proud of all the directors, coordinators and volunteers. They didn’t let the rain dampen their spirits and they did their jobs,” she said. “They were out in the rain and cold volunteering their time and helping the community be out and proud.”
The new attractions also did fairly well despite the gloomy weather, although Price said their premier could have gone better if the weather was better.
The new Pumpkin Way patch sold out of small pumpkins, while larger ones are still available for purchase at the William Way LGBT Community Center and Spruce Street Video.
Price has gotten positive feedback so far for the event.
“People know how much is put into these events,” she said. “People stuck with us and those who did had a really good day.”
