STATE COLLEGE — On Saturday, June 8, people gathered on South Allen Street and throughout the downtown State College area to see the Pride parade, a part of this year’s Pride celebration put on by Centre LGBT+.
The fourth annual State College Pride celebration began with a parade down South Allen Street and was followed by a festival in Sidney Friedman Park which included activities for people of all ages.
People crowded downtown State College to watch the parade travel through the area. The parade was kicked off by this year’s grand marshal, Marinette Pichon. Pichon is a French soccer player who had previously visited State College to view a biopic about her at the Centre Film Festival in 2023.
Following her was an array of decorated vehicles and people walking from different organizations, Penn State colleges, local churches, small businesses and more. Additionally, Mayor Ezra Nanes, State Rep. Paul Takac, the Centre County commissioners and other political figures appeared in the parade.
Whether the participants were in cars or just walking with their group, all the organizations were decorated in Pride gear, holding signs and flags while throwing candy to parade viewers. Awards were later given for the most festive decorations.
Following the parade, many of the organizations that participated set up tables along South Allen that gave out stickers and magnets, had games and provided resources.
The newly renovated Palmer Museum of Art was handing out magnets that had people made out of fingerprints, St. John’s United Church of Christ gave out candy and Centre Safe passed out different colors of beaded bracelets, to name a few.
Food trucks were also set up along South Allen Street like Brazilian Munchies, Kona Ice and a cheesesteak truck.
At noon, a festival in Sidney Friedman Park began. There was a station that provided free water to attendees and other stations doing caricatures, face painting and more.
The festival began with speeches from Pichon, Nanes and members of Centre LGBT+.
In her speech, Pichon discusses how her wife helped her be more comfortable in her own skin and her sexuality. Pichon also discussed how excited she was to share her own excitement with Centre County and experience Pride in State College for the first time.
“I’m here because I want to be here, and I love you all. Enjoy today and enjoy your life,” Pichon said.
Nanes noted how proud he was to be at Pride, sharing the story of how the truck he was driving in the parade broke down and how proud he was of the community that gathered around him in support to help him move his truck from where it sat. He compared it to how the community all came together for Pride and to support each other.
During the speeches, members of Centre LGBT+ were honored and winners of the parade decorating contest were announced. Third place went to Adam Schwartz, second place went to The Graduate and first place went to Capvara the Clown.
The crowd sitting on the grassy hill of Sidney Friedman Park grew as the speeches went on in preparation for the first performance at the festival.
Sible Sible, a drag queen, kicked off the festivities. The audience watched as she ate fire. She also performed later in the festivities along with a few other drag queens and kings.
While the queens performed, the crowd was able to engage with them, cheering them on.
The drag queens and kings then paused their performances and Schwartz put on a puppet show. After the puppet show, music was played for children to dance along to, and after a performance by the Extra-Ordinary, Capvara the Clown was put on.
This was followed by a dance by Happy Valley Improv, followed by more drag performances.
After the end of the drag performances, there was an hour of open dance time, where everyone was welcomed to dance to music played by DJ Elbow Knee Knee.
Closing speeches ended the festival in Sidney Friedman Park.
“I am so grateful to all of you for coming out here and just being in your truth and being who you are. That enriches my life,” said Nanes.
However, the festivities did not end there. There were after parties for people of all ages throughout the afternoon and evening — one for children, one for younger adults and one for people 21+.
Although the Pride festival and parade are over, Centre LGBT+ has other events planned to celebrate Pride throughout Centre County, like a Pride Chili Cookoff on Saturday, June 15, and the Pets and Pride virtual event on Saturday, June 22.
Along with this, Centre LGBT+ has resources and support available to anyone who needs them. For more information, visit centrelgbtplus.org or visit the organization in person at Calder Square II, 204 E. Calder Way.
