PITTSTON — NEPA PrideFest turned the page to the beginning of a new chapter Saturday, when the annual event took place at its new home in Pittston. Reactions to the new venue were mixed, but the strong sense of pride was not to be questioned.
Tim Hahn, a Pittston native who now resides in Allentown, said he never imagined a PrideFest event would take place in his hometown. “There are a lot of small-minded people in this area,” Hahn said. “Today I’m really proud to be a Pittstontonian. Northeastern PA is coming a long way.”
The festival, now in its eighth year, saw several changes. Not only did the event move from Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre to the Tomato Festival grounds, the celebration of diversity also had organizers and volunteers starting from scratch, said Carl Halkyer, co-chair of the NEPA Rainbow Alliance.
“Anytime you change a venue you’ve been at for years, you’ve got to relearn everything,” Halkyer said. “It was challenging to learn the ordinances and permitting of a new venue — even things as simple as where the tents can go and be set up.”
Halkyer admits this year’s event was a work in progress.
The change in location was primarily put in place to support the non-discrimination ordinance Pittston passed in May 2013 that ensures fair and equal treatment of all individuals, said Helen Davis, vice-chair of the NEPA Rainbow Alliance.
“It is the only municipality in Luzerne County with such protections,” Davis said. “Why wouldn’t we move our main event to such a supportive location?”
According to Davis, in the state of Pennsylvania, unless a local nondiscrimination ordinance exists, LGBTQ+ individuals can be kicked out of their housing, fired from jobs or denied services.
Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton, who said he strongly supported the LGBTQ+ community when PrideFest was held at Kirby Park, said putting an ordinance that protects sexual orientation and gender identity or expression needs to be done at the state level.
“If the city had that in place, it would not be enforceable,” Leighton said.
Despite the intentions, some festival-goers were unimpressed with the new venue.
Sean Frentzen, of Wilkes-Barre, is a straight ally of the LGBTQ+ community who said he preferred the atmosphere of the festival when it was held at Kirby Park.
“There was grass at the park where people could sit and relax with friends,” Frentzen said. “There was nowhere to sit and relax here. It was held in a parking lot hidden behind buildings. And there wasn’t much to do.”
After 30 minutes of walking around, Frentzen said he became bored.
Halkyer said this year’s event saw less participation from vendors — especially food vendors. According to vendor spokesman Nathan Lund, permits to sell food cost $350 in Wilkes-Barre as opposed to $500 in Pittston.
“Last year, most of the vendors at Kirby Park already had the permit from the city of Wilkes-Barre, so they didn’t have to get additional permits,” Lund said. “The higher price discouraged a lot of food vendors from following PrideFest to Pittston.”
Halkyer also noted Pittston required food vendors to purchase a permit that lasts throughout the month as opposed to one day, which he said may be responsible for the fee to be more costly.
Judson Spencer, of Pittston, owns Grizzly Bear BBQ, a catering company. Spencer said the NEPA Rainbow Alliance contacted him Friday morning — the day before PrideFest — after three food vendors backed out at the last minute. Spencer said he didn’t have a permit, but scrambled to get one last minute to help the LGBTQ+ community because, “everybody deserves to be happy.”
His company served hot dogs, pulled-pork sandwiches and potato chips.
Samantha Raub of Kingston said she preferred the new location. At PrideFest to show support for her sister, Danielle, and her wife, Sarah, she appreciated the smaller size of the new venue.
“It was in a big area at Kirby Park,” Raub said. “It seems more put-together this year. It’s in a smaller, compact area this year, which makes it easier for everyone to come together.”
Talk about the new location seemed pale in comparison to the most compelling topic at hand — celebrating diversity.
Kathleen Casterline, of Exeter, made the festival a family affair by bringing her 9-year-old daughter, Lillian, and her 12-year-old niece, Kelly, to their first PrideFest. “I feel kids should be exposed to PrideFest,” Kathleen said. “It’s important for kids to know there is diversity out there. This is the world we live in.”
More than 30 businesses and groups set up shop at the festival to support diversity and provide resources.
Brendan Angley of Wilkes-Barre is a tattoo apprentice, who represented 570 Tattooing Co.
“I’m glad that I’m a straight guy who can promote that not all straight people are against the gay community,” Angley said. “I have a 13-year-old niece who is no longer going to be my niece — she’s going to be my nephew — and I want to be here for him because he can’t be here. I want to show that you shouldn’t be afraid to say who you really are inside or be afraid to show that you support people for who they are. Not only do I support everybody, I’m here to show the community the shop welcomes the LGBT community, too.”
Angley said everyone deserves to live their life as the person they feel they are and look how they want to look — be it lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender or covered in tattoos.
Alex Zellner of Pittston advertises free hugs at PrideFest in Pittston on Saturday.
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Alex Zellner of Pittston advertises free hugs at PrideFest in Pittston on Saturday.
Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
New Miss NEPA PrideFest 2015 Neveah Deda adjusts her crown during PrideFest in Pittston on Saturday afternoon.
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New Miss NEPA PrideFest 2015 Neveah Deda adjusts her crown during PrideFest in Pittston on Saturday afternoon.
Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
NEPA Rainbow Alliance board co-chair Carl Halkyer, left, and his partner Paul Chapman, both of Waverly, adjust the rainbow flag overlooking PrideFest in the Pittston Tomato Festival lot on Saturday aftenoon.
http://timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_TTL081615PrideFest_3.jpg
NEPA Rainbow Alliance board co-chair Carl Halkyer, left, and his partner Paul Chapman, both of Waverly, adjust the rainbow flag overlooking PrideFest in the Pittston Tomato Festival lot on Saturday aftenoon.
Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
By Justin Adam Brown
jbrown@timesleader.com
Reach Justin Adam Brown at 570-991-6652