If you have taken note of the many rainbow flags displayed around the city, you may have simply thought to yourself, “What a colorful, cheerful little city this is.” Well, if cheerful basically means happy … and another word for happy is “gay” … you’re right! All those rainbow bumper stickers and flags belong to the proud gay people of Harrisburg (except for those unsuspecting folks who just thought they were cheerful and pretty). Now that you’re thinking about it, you’ve seen quite a few of them, haven’t you? So, is Harrisburg really as conservative as you thought?

Several months ago, you may have read an article in MODE about Miss Glenda, one of Harrisburg’s finest and most recognized drag performers. In speaking with Eric Selvey, chairperson of the Pride Festival Committee, it sounds like Miss Glenda is still doing her thing — she’s raised $5,000 from her “Pride Tour” shows for the 1999 Pride Festival! If that doesn’t make you think twice about that “conservative” label on Harrisburg, how about this? The 1999 Gay Pride Festival will be held in Riverfront Park this year!

Oh, now, don’t act surprised — Harrisburg has been celebrating gay pride every year for 15 years — right under your nose. Over the years, though, this celebration has been called by different names, including, at one time, the “Unity Festival.” This year marks the 9th Annual for the actual Pride Festival, by this name.

For those of you who have actually known that there was a gay festival in Harrisburg, you may be singing the tune of “I’m Coming Out” at the news of the Pride Festival moving to Riverfront. Admittedly, it is a new step in a less conservative direction for the gay, lesbian, and transexual community. The past years of festivals have been held in private parks, Reservoir Park, and the HACC campus, which have been less visible to the general public. But, as Eric Selvey said, “We don’t want to hide.” As a matter of fact, advertising for this year’s festival will target many of the local mainstream publications.

This move to Riverfront Park is very exciting in regards to the Pride Festival. “We wanted to try something new,” Eric said, “A new inspiration.” In the future, this location may lend itself to the addition of a parade, and perhaps even a two-day festival. For this year, the location may lend itself to a nearby post-pride fest dance for the under- 21 crowd.

One of the major factors in this move was that the City of Harrisburg expressed a real desire for the Pride Festival to be back in one of the city’s parks. That desire is backed up by Harrisburg Parks & Recreation working with the Pride Festival Committee to minimize security issues. Still, Eric acknowledges that some people will choose not to attend because it’s in a highly visible area.

The 1999 Pride Festival already shows great promise as a prelude to the 2000 Festival. So far, 52 vendors are registered, which is well above recent years. Eric could not stress strongly enough that Pride Fest is for everyone — not only gays, lesbians, transexuals, and friends and family. As a matter of fact, this year’s musical guest, Ce Ce Peniston, is hoped to draw fans from well beyond the gay and lesbian community.

To broaden the variety of entertainment, the committee has split the entertainment into two stages this year. For the drag fans, one stage, called — what else — “Glenda’s Cantina” will be the showplace for the area’s drag performers. Other music and entertainment, from a variety of musical styles and artists, will be held on the main stage. There will also be children’s entertainment and a DJ spinning dance music for teens and others who care to dance.

Now, for those who still are inclined not to attend, even though the committee chair extends a most gracious invitation, could you be afraid someone may see you … and wonder? Perhaps it’s not Harrisburg that’s conservative at all — maybe it’s just some of the people. If you’re shocked to find that Harrisburg has a festival to celebrate gay pride, it’s a possibility. If you’re curious about the concept that people are proud to be gay, it’s likely. If you’re completely in awe that gays and lesbians would have the “nerve” to hold a festival beside the lovely Susquehanna, just like other festivals, visible to passing traffic on Front Street (only one lane will be blocked for vendor parking), then it’s almost certain that you may be more conservative than the city itself. After all, if you’ve been noticing those rainbows, you may realize that the gay and lesbian population is bigger than you think. Consider this — you might even know someone …

For those who consider themselves not so conservative, why not try out a new festival? The ’99 Pride Festival is open to all. The $5 admission allows the festival to grow, but is especially dedicated to giving back to the community by donating funds to charities like those for AIDS and Breast Cancer.

MAIN STAGE
12:30  Welcome

12:40  NationalAnthem –
Harrisburg Men Choirs

12:50  Miss Central Pa. Gay Pride ’98 – Kelly Lee

12:55  Announcements

1:00  Charles Lee

1:30 Miss Lancaster County ’99 – Nikki Danials

1:35  Miss Harrisburg ’99 – Destiny Rain

1:40 Mr. Harrisburg ’99 – Latin Lover

1:45 Announcements

1:50 Harrisburg Men Choirs

2:00 Announcements

2:10 Miss Gay Pa. America ’99 – Michelle Leigh Sterling

2:20 Central Pa. Womyn’s Choirs

2:30 Announcements

2:40 Miss Cellar ’99 - Glenda

2:50 Miss Central Pa. Gay Pride ’99 - TBA

2:55 Announcements

3:00 Natalie Darkes

3:30 Announcements

3:40 TBA.

4:10 Announcements

4:20 Sound Check

4:30 CE CE PENITSON

5:00 50/50 Drawing

ENTERTAINMENT Glenda’s Cabaret
1:00  DRAG SHOW – Entertainers TBA.

2:30 Kids Fun