The 24th annual OutFest celebration will fill the streets of the Gayborhood for the not-to-be-missed block party of the fall.
The festivities begin noon Oct. 12 and stretch 10 square blocks, from 11th-13th streets and Spruce-Walnut streets.
Approximately 40,000 people attend this free daylong celebration of National Coming Out Day, the largest NCOD festivity in the world.
The event will feature entertainment showcasing local talent, booths from all your favorite LGBT-friendly bars, restaurants and businesses, a massive flea market, carnival attractions and more.
There will be a few locations changes this year: The youth dance party is back and will be located at 12th and Spruce streets, and the flea market has moved to 13th Street between Spruce and Camac.
More than 160 groups are expected to participate in OutFest.
Entertainment includes a pet-show contest, performances from The Attic Youth Center and drag performances. Mazzoni Center’s The Real Impact Project will stage Reb*el, led by Legendary Icon Ebony Fierce, a preview of its Oct. 15 event at Milkboy,
Mimi ImFurst, Miss Philly Gay Pride 2014, will also perform; the Miss Philly Gay Pride 2015 pageant will take place 10 p.m. Oct. 10 at Voyeur, and the winner will be crowned on Sunday to conclude the festivities.
Franny Price, organizer for OutFest, spoke to what the event really means.
“Towards the end of the day we start an applause wave that goes through all of the streets. We’re applauding all the young people that show up and have come out,” she said. “It’s a really positive force for them to do that, and we want them to know we support them — we’re there for them.”
OutFest will also honor several outstanding individuals at an awards ceremony, taking place at the main stage at 13th and Locust streets at 2:05 p.m.
In 1990, Philadelphia was one of the first cities to organize around NCOD on a large scale and create a block party to showcase the many facets of the LGBT community. The first OutFest took place at 12th and Pine streets, but has since been held in the center of the Gayborhood.
For more information, visit www.phillygaypride.org.