Organizers of Delaware Pride expect a very diverse group this year as the event partners for the first time with a comic convention.
Up to 10,000 people are expected to attend the Aug. 6 event with Pridegoers this year, including cosplayers and fans from Dover Comic Con.
“We stumbled across Comic Con this year, because Comic Con in Dover wanted to have their event at the same time as we did,” said Steve Newman, vendor coordinator of Delaware Pride. “We just got together and discussed it, and decided that it would be good for both of us if we would have a mutual event.”
There is also an effort to create more community involvement this year. The event will be kid-friendly, with activities and games such as a Bump and Play, face painting, a clown and balloon animals.
There will be plenty of activities for the older crowd, with all of the museums in Dover staying open during Pride. Aside from that, Pride and Comic Con will have a combined 300 vendors, selling their wares along with pride merchandise.
Delaware Pride will be hosted by Jayden Storm and Brie Daniels. The headliner will be The Manhattan Prairie Dogs, a dance troupe from New York. SIREN, a singing trio, will also perform. In addition, Comic Con will provide entertainment throughout the day.
“We’re the only gay event that covers the entire state,” Newman said about Pride. “Over the last five years the festival has been in all three counties of the state. And what really makes Delaware Pride festival stand out is that we believe that we are the only Pride that sets up in front of a state Capitol. We are located right in front of the state Capitol of Delaware, where marriage equality has been approved.”
Comic Con will take place at the adjacent Dover Pubic Library.
Delaware Pride is free to attend and everyone is encouraged to come in costume. Pride will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 6 at Delaware Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Ave, Dover. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/1670232169906725.