Lebanon’s Got Pride 2023 is scheduled for this Sunday, June 25, from noon to 6 p.m. on South Eighth Street from West Cumberland Street to Chestnut Street.
The third annual event will include drag performers, a DJ, Zumba, and a fashion show. There is no rain date.
Organizers Ashley Santana-Speraw and Betsy Marie Espinosa emphasized that the event is free and open to all ages. The drag show will be child-friendly, and there will also be a child-friendly area with face paint, chalk, and more.
“We really just want to break the stigma that the drag community has at the moment,” said Espinoza. “Bad does exist out there within the world, but it isn’t within our community.”
Pride will be preceded by a 10:30 a.m. nondenominational service at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 22 S. 6th St.
Read More: An open letter from the Rector of St. Luke’s regarding Pride
“That’s why we picked our time and date – to correspond specifically with his service,” said Santana-Speraw. “There are different parishes that are very accepting of people in the LGBT community. You do not need to forsake your faith because of who you love.”
In addition to Pride, the event will honor other June events such as Caribbean-American Heritage Month, Juneteenth, and Men’s Health Month. Organizers emphasized the availability of resources at the event, including medical, housing, and mental health services.
“We really like having a diversity of vendors as well as resources,” said Santana-Speraw.
Vendors will include Divas Have to Eat, WellSpan, Cotton Candy Coven, and more. Espinosa’s five-year-old vendor will even be running a lemonade stand, with profits being donated to the Trevor Project.
The Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts will be open Sunday, as well as Schaylors Brewing Company above the Farmers Market.
Also on the planning committee are drag performer Whitley, new committee member Luis Mozena, and Scott Church, who was involved in Pride from its first year.
Organizers noted that if anyone has any questions, wishes to volunteer for setup/cleanup Sunday, or has any interest in working security, to contact them at lebanonsgotpride@yahoo.com.
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