GayNEPA.com

PLEASE READ AND REPOST THIS MESSAGE!

In LESS THAN 30 DAYS, Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) community will join together with allies, family and friends for PrideFest 2008. Extensive planning has gone into this year’s premier event and we want to take a moment and bring you up to speed on some of the event’s logistics.

Many of you filled out the four surveys that told the festival committee what you want at PrideFest… Thank You! We have taken into account all your feedback and feel our event has something for everyone.

How much? - The event is FREE and open to anyone who believes in full equality.
Tax-deductible, charitable donations will be gratefully accepted both at the event and online at this link.

Who’s On Stage? - The entertainment committee has put together an excellent line up including live performances by Rio Diamond, Estella Sweet, Maria Dubiel, and Marie Gray.
Additional Entertainment will be provided by DJ Debbie Gilbert (from the Twist), DJ Steven Wallace (from 12 Penny Saloon), and more!

Will there be food? - We have contracted with Kirby Park’s Snack Bar and the City of Wilkes-Barre to provide food for sale (including ice cream). You’re also welcome to bring a picnic lunch. We’ve reserved all the picnic tables and pavilions in the park. Also, the nearby Gateway Shopping Center hosts Grotto Pizza and a Subway.

How about vendors? - We are still accepting vendor applications at pridefest@gaynepa. com.
Current vendors include (partial list):
* Caring Communities for AIDS
* Pride of NEPA
* Panzee Press
* Wyoming Valley AIDS Council
* Wilkes-Barre LGBT for Obama
* Sugarloaf Herb Farm
* NEPA Obama Pride
* Victim’s Resource Center

What about security? - The Wilkes-Barre Guardian Angels organization will be providing volunteer unarmed security and the park will be routinely patrolled by city police officers throughout the event’s duration.

What if it rains? - We are working with vendors now to ensure that most if not all of the festival is under tents. We’re not going to let a little rain spoil our fun, and hope that weather will not be a concern to you in attending!

What can I do? - First, check out the new Myspace Page for the event.
Use the “Let us Know” event page to tell us that you’ll be attending (or not!).

Volunteer! – If you’re interested in volunteering to help, please e-mail pridefest@gaynepa.com that you’d like to be added to the volunteers list. Please forward this info to your friends and let them know… The Countdown is ON!

Warm regards,

John Dawe
Executive Director
NEPA Rainbow Alliance

PLEASE take two minutes and complete our post-concert survey!

Click Here to take the survey.

Melissa Etheridge will be performing at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre this FRIDAY NIGHT 6/27/08 at 8 p.m.

ADDITIONAL TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE AUCTION / DIRECT PURCHASE:
Right now, the Rainbow Alliance has holds on TWO PAIRS of tickets at various locations throughout the Kirby Center, including ONE PAIR in the “Best Section ($76)” and ONE PAIR in the “General Section ($36).”  100% of the sale of these tickets benefits the Rainbow Alliance and our programs.

If you are interested, please e-mail me with a bid, your name and phone number by TUESDAY AT 6 PM at john@gaynepa.com.  If the highest bidder is not available within 24 hours, the 2nd highest bidder will be declared winner.

There are also a limited number of tickets available for sale at $75/$55/$35 plus fees.  Call 570-826-1100 and mention promo code “Rainbow 08.”  Make sure you let me know if you are going and want to attend the reception.

SPECIAL GAYNEPA RECEPTION:
I will need you to RSVP if you will be attending a special reception at 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. at the Mezzanine Lobby.  I will need the names of those attending to be given to the Kirby by 4 p.m. on Friday.  If you’re not sure, you can list yourself and a guest, for example “Ann Jones and Guest” but you must arrive together.  The main doors will open to the public at approximately 6:45 and the mezzanine lobby will be to the public open at around 7:15 p.m.

We have invited Melissa to join us, but don’t know if she will or not.  Rather than charge a fee for the reception, we’ll be taking donations if you want… but this is not necessary to attend.   There will be a cash bar.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
I am looking for a few volunteers to work a table in the lobby talking about Rainbow Alliance and our upcoming events before the show, during any intermissions, and after the show.

Thanks,

John Dawe
john@gaynepa.com