NEPA PrideFest 2011 brings together the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community with supporters and allies from the Greater Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and Poconos region of Pennsylvania. The event will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at Kirby Park from 1 to 7 p.m.

NEPA PRIDEFEST 2011 ENTERTAINMENT LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

We are pleased to announce the entertainment line-up for NEPA PrideFest 2011 will include performances by:

• Media 5 Entertainment bands POP ROX and M80
• DJ sets sponsored by the 12 Penny Saloon and Twist.
• An hour of music, performance art, and a special appearance by award-winning singer/songwriter and long time gay rights activist Jade Starling, sponsored by Twist
• A special entertainment block highlighting Northeastern Pennsylvania’s best drag performers, sponsored by Sweet Emanski Entertainment

“Our entertainment schedule this year pulls together the diversity of our region – from popular local acts to, to performances by drag queens highlighting an important element of the gay rights movement, to a very special performance by gay rights icon Jade Starling,” said John Dawe, executive director of the NEPA Rainbow Alliance, the organization that presents the annual PrideFest event.

The family-friendly, all-ages festival also brings together vendors and exhibitors from local businesses and nonprofit organizations with products, services and offerings targeted to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and its allies. (LGBTA).

According to Bill Browne, Vice-Chair, “We have grown every year for the past three, and expect this year to surpass all previous events.”  Last year’s event hit a record attendance of more than 2,000.

“We’ve tweaked a lot of our operations,” said Dawe, explaining that reductions in funding have caused the organization’s board to scrutinize every facet of the event. “As a result, festival-goers will see an extremely streamlined event.  We are extremely grateful to organizations like Tiger Abstract, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Twist, Twelve Penny Saloon, Pride of NEPA, and The Rainbow Fund of The Luzerne Foundation for helping to keep this signature event going strong.”

Any company, organization, or individual wishing to get involved by sponsoring, vending, or volunteering can contact the PrideFest office by calling 570-763-9877 or e-mailing info@gaynepa.com.