Thursday, April 2, 2009

Gay Pride - Small Town Pennsylvania-Style

NEW HOPE’S GAY PRIDE WEEKEND FEATURES VARIETY OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS


from Out in Harrisburg:

NEW HOPE, PA (March 30, 2009) – From games and art activities with chances to win Sesame Place tickets, to an afternoon dance party designed for young people and their grown-ups, New Hope Celebrates (NHC) Pride Weekend on May 15 to 17, 2009 in New Hope, Pennsylvania features a wide variety of kid-friendly events tailored for families with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT) parents, and their supporters and friends.

"A goal of this year's Pride Weekend is to encourage families with two Moms or two Dads-as well as their supportive friends and loved ones-to celebrate with their children in a welcoming atmosphere," explains Lauren J. Weil, NHC Board Member, Family Events Coordinator and mother of two.

Saturday, May 16 kicks off with the New Hope Pride Parade at noon. Families interested in marching in the parade together are invited to gather at 11:30 a.m. at New Hope-Solebury High School's parking lot at 180 West Bridge Street to meet, greet and craft their own noise makers. The parade spotlights such notables as the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corp Marching Band, Liberty Gay Rodeo Association, DC Cowboys Dance Company, DJ Mark Picchiotti from Logo TV's "RuPaul's Drag Race" and Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy.

Later that day, "Family Fun and Fitness," a free outdoor activity takes place from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the grounds of the New Hope-Solebury Upper Elementary School at 180 West Bridge Street. A personal trainer will be on hand to teach a family fitness class. This event also includes games and arts and crafts appropriate for children of all ages, plus a raffle to win free family packs of tickets for nearby Sesame Place children's theme park. Representatives from Gay Parent Magazine will hand out the publication's most recent edition and other literature specific to GLBT parents, and fitness expert / television producer Alix Redmonde will sell her children's book "It's Great to be Different." Parents might wish to participate in the New Hope Celebrates Softball Tournament at 3:00 p.m. on the adjacent ball fields.

A highlight of Sunday, May 17 is the "Proud to be Families and Friends Afternoon Tea Dance" featuring upbeat music from disc jockey Sounds by Shelly, as well as The Limbo, Freeze Dance and the ever-popular Chicken Dance. This free family event, appropriate for children of all ages, takes place from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Little Shul by the River, located at 85 West Mechanic Street.

In addition to these special events, visitors to New Hope will find a wide selection of family-friendly attractions. The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad takes families back in time aboard an authentic stream train ride into the surrounding countryside. Coryell's Ferry Historic Boat Rides offers beautiful scenery, a view of the Delaware River's varied wildlife and an historic narrative on the area's importance as a colonial ferry crossing - including the story of General George Washington's crossing. The Bucks County Playhouse presents various children's theater productions throughout the year. Outdoor enthusiasts relish the Delaware Canal State Park's miles of towpath perfect for walking and biking.

Sponsors of NHC Pride Weekend include Sesame Place and Gay Parent Magazine. More information is available online at www.NewHopeCelebrates.com.

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