Pride Week in Erie

facebook.com/NWPAPride

NWPA Pride shirts and merchandise for sale the the Erie Food Co-op

THURSDAY, JUN. 23 - 26

Pride Month is nearing its colorful conclusion, and Erie's LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual) community and allies are celebrating with events throughout the week. Experience a golden opportunity to socialize, network, and mingle, no matter where you're at on the rainbow. 

Pride Night with the Erie SeaWolves

Have a howl of a good Pride with The Erie SeaWolves on Thursday night as they take on the Bowie Baysox. Those who purchase tickets through nwpapride.org will receive a limited edition tee shirt (featuring a howling, red bandana-wearing SeaWolf logo with a rainbow border, set on a black background). Bonus: It is also a Two Buck Thursday, with hot dogs, popcorn, and select draft beers available for $2 apiece. 

Thursday, 6:05 p.m. // UPMC Park, 831 French St. // $30 (Pride ticket package), $12-$30 (regular single game tickets) // nwpapride.org and erieseawolves.com

2022 Pridefest and Pride Parade

Perry Square will transform into Pridefest HQ on Saturday afternoon, with info tables, vendors, and musical and drag queen performances throughout the park. Those of all ages, races, gender identifications, and sexual orientations are invited to partake in the 30th edition of these festivities in Erie, a microcosm of Pride events held worldwide (which trace their origins to the June 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City's Greenwich Village and the consequent first Gay Pride Parade). 

A Youth Zone will keep kiddos entertained with inflatable children's rides, a story corner and more, while the Health and Wellness Zone will offer free HIV/STI tests and health screenings administered through Central Outreach Erie.

But first, the 2022 Pride Parade — participants will gather between 11 a.m. and noon at The Zone Dance Club (133 W. 18th St.), at which time the parade will embark for Perry Square.

Saturday, noon to 3:30 p.m. // State Street and Perry Square // Free // nwpapride.org

3rd Annual Drive Your Pride

On Sunday, a procession of Pridefully decorated vehicles will make their way around Presque Isle for the 3rd Annual Drive Your Pride. Participants are encouraged to get creative in vibrantly accessorizing their cars (although not in a way that will detriment the natural environment). There will be one hour allotted for assembly in the Tom Ridge Environmental Center Parking Lot, after which the charismatic cavalcade will parade its way around the peninsula.

Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m. // Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. // Free // nwpapride.org