The annual, two-day Pittsburgh Pride Festival got underway Saturday at Allegheny Commons Park West on Pittsburgh’s North Side but was cut short fr the day when bad weather hit.
More than 300 vendors were set up throughout the park, and organizers are expecting to top last year’s attendance of between 275,000 and 300,000, said Dalen Hooks, a co-founder of the festival and board member of the Pittsburgh Pride Foundation.
More than 100 local artists will be performing through the weekend.
The event began Friday night, with about 100 attending a Pride Prom at the National Aviary and 150 at a Kiki Ball, Hooks said.
Growing exponentially every year, this year’s festival has more vendors, more performers and more local businesses and crafters, Hooks said.
“And we intend to go bigger next year,” he said. “It’s awesome every year how many people show up and show out.”
This year’s theme is “Existence is Resistance.”
“Pride is showing up and being ourselves. Our existence causes resistance. We have to take up space to remind people we’re not going anywhere,” Hooks said. “We have to give resistance just to exist. Every day is a fight to be ourselves.”
People of all ages and abilities were perusing the vendors set up throughout the park. Many were walking dogs.
Annaleigh Cumberledge, 17, came with her sister, Emma , from Rochester in Beaver County. While Emma had been to the festival before, it was Annaleigh’s first time.
“I’ve been out for God knows how long,” she said. “It feels I should connect with my community.”
Friends Nerieda Cowfer, of New Kensington, and Danielle Pater, of Harrison were enjoying lunch in the shade.
“It’s comfortable. It’s nice seeing other people. I like seeing all the craft vendors,” Cowfer said. “I like buying trinkets. It’s nice supporting local artists.”
Pater said Cowfer talking her into going, and they arrived early.
“We were worried about the parking situation, but there was plenty,” she said.
Brothers Sam and Tiger Turley, ages 9 and 5, respectively, painted rocks at a booth set up by the Kentucky Avenue School. It left their father, Bryan Turley, a native of Ireland, a bit perplexed.
“I’m here drying a rock,” he said, as he held a fan over one of his sons’ creations. “I’m an Irishman drying a rock.”
The family lives in New York City. Their mom, Victoria Turley, is a Pittsburgh-area native. Staying nearby, they came over to check out the festival.
The weather, which brought the day to a close a bit early, was not a concern.
“I can take the rain,” Bryan Turley said. “I’m Irish. I’m built for rain.”
Sunday events
The Pride March and Parade precedes the festival on Sunday. Lineup is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Liberty Avenue between 11th Street and 16th Street in the Strip District. No registration is required to participate.
Speakers for the parade will begin at 11:30 p.m. and the parade will begin its march at noon, making its way to the festival in Allegheny Commons Park West.
Hooks said he always looks forward to the parade.
“That’s my favorite part, to see so many people out marching,” he said. “It’s a beautiful thing to see.”
More information is available online at pittsburghpride.com.