New Hope Set To Celebrate
NEW HOPE - Pride is growing.
Just look to New Hope, where it will mark its fourth annual gay pride celebration this weekend.
Organizers boast a full slate of events that offers something for everyone. Historic New Hope provides the perfect setting, they say. Last year's crowd brought in an estimated 3,000. This year, because of the expansion of entertainment and the addition of the parade, organizers are hoping to at least double attendance.
"New Hope has an illustrious past as a predecessor for welcoming the gay and lesbian population and yet, surprisingly, the community has never hosted a pride parade," said Daniel Brooks, New Hope Celebrates Coordinator and proprietor of the Wishing Well Guesthouse. "The logistics are daunting but our volunteer committee is pulling this together with incredible spirit and encouragement from the whole town."
Parties, parades and participating retailers aim to transform the artsy, eclectic town just outside of Philadelphia into a rainbow of GLBT-friendly doings.
It all gets officially under way Saturday at 11 a.m. with the Somewhere Over the Rainbow parade. The parade will feature the Gay and Lesbian Big Apple Corps, Flyboys of Flag Troupe Houston and several local clubs and organizations. The parade starts at the New Hope-Solebury High School, ventures south on West Bridge Street and right onto South Main Street in the center of the historic, riverside town. The parade ends at Ferry Street Park adjacent to the Bucks County Playhouse. The parade takes place rain or shine.
"The support for the pride parade is evident by its varied participants," said Steve Walny of Weidel Realtors and NewHope-RealEstate.com. "There's truly something for everyone! This is my fourth year as a New Hope Celebrates committee chairperson and each year, with the help of innumerable volunteers and sponsors, we manage to come up with even more elaborate events to entertain and delight people of all backgrounds - neighbors or visitors, young or old, gay or straight!"
Among the highlights of the parade, the Flyboys of Flag Troupe Houston provide a visual spectacle of choreographed, synchronized flag-dancing. The NJ Eagles MC, a New Jersey-based gay men's motorcycle club, drive their "hawgs" while the notorious Miss Pumpkin rides in style aboard a classic convertible leading the way for many whimsically decorated floats sponsored by local restaurants. Segway riders from I Glide Tours demonstrate this two-wheel, self-balancing, state-of-the-art transportation. Dancers from Sol Naciente dressed in gauchos tango their way through the streets and later provide free tango lessons.
Various civic, church and community organizations demonstrate their pride and support by marching in the parade, including the Bucks County Lesbian Alliance, Coryell's Ferry Militia, Garden State Equality, Human Rights Campaign, FACT Bucks County, New Hope Borough Council, New Hope Eagle Fire Company, Rainbow Room and Unitarian Universalist Church of Washington's Crossing.
However, those who are anxious to get the party started early can take advantage of a few events leading up to pride weekend.
At noon on Friday, the Rainbow Flag of Key West will be unfurled. The ceremony will mark the beginning of the weekend. Then the entire town hosts a happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Rainbow drink specials are available at the Raven Resort, John and Peter's, Havana, Fran's Pub, Karla's, Zoubi's and more.
The New Hope-Solebury High School Auditorium turns into a "Trimph(ant) Girls Night Out." For $35, guests are treated to an evening of entertainment by the Lesbians of Laughter (LOL) and The Glamazons. A silent auction starts at 6:45 p.m. at the high school, 180 W. Bridge St. The party after the party takes place at the Triumph Brewing Company at Union Square. Featured musical guest is folk singer Christine Havrilla. The $35 admittance fee covers both the event and after-party.
The weekend's many activities include an entertainment showcase featuring:
? the masterful vocal impressionist Jimmy James
? a performance by edgy off-Broadway comedian Scott Nevins
? an afternoon dance party starring drag artiste Lady Bunny
? appearances by Reichen Lehmuhl, international model and winner of CBS' Amazing Race
? outdoor exhibits by GLBT artists
? co-ed softball games
? a post-game party featuring vendor displays and performances by "out" songwriter Josh Zuckerman and band
? a Decade an Hour dance party;
Visit www.NewHopeCelebrates.com for updated event, ticket information.
New Hope's GLBT pride weekend is one of only a handful of pride festivals in the country with the principal goal of raising money to serve needs within the community. Proceeds from the 2007 Somewhere Over the Rainbow events support Fighting Aids Continuously Together (FACT Bucks County), the Human Rights Campaign and the Rainbow Room, a youth center of Planned Parenthood Association of Bucks County. Publicist Emily Irwin said New Hope Celebrates has been giving back to the community since its inception.
Brooks said New Hope Celebrates has donated more than $60,000 to GLBT organizations over the past few years, compared to other pride festivals that aim to just cover expenses. That's what makes New Hope's party so unique, he said. Additionally, while more than two dozen volunteers serve on the group's core committee, New Hope Celebrates comprises businessmen and women and civic leaders. The whole town gets involved.
Because of New Hope's success, there will be two spinoff events: New Hope Idol - the talent competition modeled after American Idol - will occur in the fall. New Hope also will usher in a gay and lesbian film festival in the winter, Brooks said.
For more information about New Hope Celebrates, please visit www.NewHopeCelebrates.com.