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Pride Erie 2007

• Pride Guide 2008 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE A-15

Introducing Hyatt Place

Pride Erie is at the end of June this year

by Michael Kenton Mahler

Erie, Pa.-Erie's LGBT community will come together on the final weekend of June to celebrate Pride with a picnic, march, rally, and social opportunities.

Festivities get underway Saturday, June 28, with the Pride Erie Picnic at Rotary Pavilion, Beach 7 at Presque Isle State Park. The Pride picnic runs from 1 to 6 p.m. with food being served from

2 to 4 p.m.

The Pride march will step off from the Zone Dance Club at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 29, with the Pride rally beginning in Perry Square at 2 p.m.

The picnic will offer hot dogs, sloppy joes, chicken, potatoes and beverages. Those attending are asked to bring a dish to share. Paper plates and plastic silverware will be available. Alcohol is prohibited by state law, as are vendor sales.

The annual "family portrait" will be taken at 4 p.m. Donations to support the picnic will be gratefully accepted. People may register in advance or volunteer online at: www.eriegaynews.com/pride/ register.php. Individuals who would like to volunteer may also contact Michael Mahler at 814-456-9833 or e-mail info@eriegaynews.com.

Participants are also asked to bring a non-perishable item for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania. Friends, family and children are welcome to attend. There will be games, a sand castle building contest for children 3-12, as well as a talent show.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Erie's first gay pride march and rally held in 1998. Individuals participating in this year's Erie Pride March should gather at the Zone, 133 West 18th St., at noon on Sunday, June 28. The marchers will head down State Street to Erie's Perry Square where the rally will be held. A variety of vendors, informational

exhibits, speakers and musical entertainment will be featured at the rally, which is sponsored by Erie Gay Pride, Inc. Food and legal beverages will be available at Coconut Joe's on North Park Row, directly across from Perry Square. Coconut Joe's will be open from 1-5 p.m. to help everyone celebrate Erie Pride.

Headlining this year's Pride rally will be noted magician Eric Brouman from Cleveland and the Pittsburgh rock band School of Athens.

Rally

Information about the Pride March and is available at www.eriegaypride.org, by e-mail at eriegaypride@gmail.com, or by calling 866-229-1974. You may also volunteer online at www.eriegaynews.com/pride/ register.php.

What would Pride Weekend be without the Saturday night festivities at Erie's alternative night spots? Both the Zone Dance Club and Craze Night Club, 1607 Raspberry St., will be offering Pride celebrations to help everyone get into the festive Pride mood. See their web sites for more information about specific Pride plans.

Michael Kenton Mahler is the publisher of Erie Gay News.

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