State College Pride returns for third year. Check out the full lineup of events

State College Pride takes over downtown this weekend with a full lineup of festivities and family-friendly fun, some of which are new in the third year of the event.

Over three days of events, and with Saturday’s parade and festival as the main attraction, organizers are expecting big crowds.

“Last year, we had about 4,000 (people) in attendance,” said Cat Cook, executive director at Centre LGBTQA Support Network, which organizes the event along with the State College Borough and Downtown State College Improvement District. “This year, we expect to at least double that.”

The weekend kicks off with the Pride Fun Fair on Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the State College Municipal Building (the location was changed Thursday after originally being scheduled for Sidney Friedman Park). Cook describes it as “a carnival without the rides.” Families can play games to win prizes, catch an Adam Swartz Puppets performance, check out the face painter or balloon artist or participate in some arts and crafts projects courtesy of Ten Thousand Villages.

During the evening, other venues and businesses around downtown State College will also be hosting Pride events, including 3 Dots Downtown, The Makery and Tempest Productions.

While the State College Pride parade, at 3 p.m. Saturday, is the highlight of the weekend each year, with its hundreds of marchers, cars, floats, bikes and scooters, Cook noted the State College Pride festival, which takes place in Sidney Friedman Park and follows the parade, is always an attendee favorite, too. This year’s festival offers even more fun than in years past and, newly, food.

“It’s always a great time for people to hang out in the park. There’s a lot of dancing. This year, we’ll be having a dance contest. With the addition of food trucks, people can buy food and drinks right there at the festival, which is going to make things much smoother, hanging out and not missing anything,” she said.

Food options will include several favorite names on the Happy Valley food truck scene, including Brazilian Munchies, Classic Cones and Savory Station.

Throughout the weekend, Centre LGBTQA Support Network will be offering event merch for sale, with proceeds benefiting the organization.

However you plan to experience State College Pride, though, Cook has a few tips.

“Definitely bring a water bottle ... and sunscreen, of course. For parking, we tell people to use the garages and find parking where they can. ... Get there early. Plan on having fun, be yourself and know that you are somewhere where you’re wanted, you’re welcomed and you’re seen,” she said.

While the 2022 State College Pride event was Cook’s first, her enthusiasm for the event is clear.

“Personally, (my favorite part of the event) is being able to attend with my children, especially my teen, who’s LGBT-plus — to see the light that came on in my son’s eyes, just being surrounded by everyone who was so accepting and loving. He didn’t feel like he had to hide who he was. It was just so affirming for him. It’s that, the coming together of the community and the positive atmosphere. I have never had a negative experience with any LGBT-plus event that I have worked or been a part of.”

For those who can’t make State College Pride, Centre LGBTQA Support Network hosts a range of other events on a regular basis, listed on the organization’s calendar at centrelgbtqa.squarespace.com. The organization’s Pride Community Art Project will also be on display throughout the month of June, in the State College Borough Building, displaying artwork contributed by community members, businesses and other organizations.

State College Pride schedule

Friday

4-9 p.m.: Pride Fun Fair in the State College Municipal Building

5-7 p.m.: PSU Alumni Reception at The Lobby (upstairs at Chumley’s)

7 p.m.: Congregation Brit Shalom’s Pride Shabbat service

Saturday

11 a.m.: Drag Queen Story Hour at 3 Dots Downtown

3 p.m.: Parade in downtown State College

4:30-7:30 p.m.: Festival in Sidney Friedman Park

Sunday

2 p.m.: “The Producers” at the Mishler Theatre, Altoona

3 p.m.: Pride Alleycat Bike race, starting at Sidney Friedman Park

3 p.m.: Reading of Jane Chambers’ “Last Summer at Bluefish Cove,” at Tempest Productions

Visit www.centrelgbtqa.org/pride-23-schedule for more information.

This story was originally published June 7, 2023 at 9:27 AM.