Pride in the Name of Love

Saturday, June 24

June is national LGBT Pride Month. It's a special time to recognize the struggle of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in a positive and uplifting way. In 2009, President Obama declared June to be the official Pride Month, honoring the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in Greenwich Village, a monumental landmark at the dawning of the gay rights movement. The Northwest Pennsylvania (NWPA) Pride Alliance is helping to organize a handful of events around town to celebrate the LGBT community. So whether you're an active member of the community, or simply an ally with an open heart, here are a couple of fabulous events worth checking out.

The cornerstone of this weekend's events will be the 2017 Erie Pridefest. Participants are invited to meet at the Zone Dance Club at noon. At 1 p.m., a march will take place, heading down to Perry Square. There will be drag performances by the hilarious Michelle Michaels, Misty Michaels Kall, and Jill Jameson, as well as fire baton twirling from SnareBear and a musical performance from the The Honest Mistakes. The Erie HIV task force will be providing HIV and STI testing.

After the Pridefest celebration, there will be an official after party at the Bourbon Barrel. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. there will be free food for guests, as well as free mechanical bull rides for the Jack Twist in all of us. The event will be put on in coordination with the Greater Erie Alliance for Equality.

On Sunday, the 25th, Waldameer Park and Water World will be place to be. The local amusement park will be the site of Pride Day, offering discounted tickets and more. Go to nwpapride.org and follow the link to get a specially priced ticket, or reserve one at Pridefest the day before. When you arrive, head down to the pavilion at Coaster 2 to pick up your passes and set up home base for a day of pride, waterslides and carnival rides. - Nick Warren

Sat. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. starting from the Zone Dance Club to Perry Square // Sat. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bourbon Barrel // Free // Sun. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Water World; 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Waldameer Park // for tickets and more information go to nwpapride.org