BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Reminiscing on Pride Party Palooza 2023, which was also its inaugural event, organizer Scottie Prime said seeing smiling faces all around was his favorite part.
“They [felt] like downtown really needed this,” Prime said.
“And it just makes me feel good that we’re able to support the community in that way.”
From 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. this Sunday, the Sun Inn Courtyard and Patio just off Main Street will have two bars open with drinks on tap, food at the ready and potentially hundreds of people mixing and mingling.
“I just wanted to create a safe space for everyone to feel like they could come have a great time and spread love and enjoy each other.”
Pride Party Palooza organizer Scottie Prime
If you’re not hungry, there’s plenty more happening.
Prime said there will be two drag queens on site, local vendors selling goods and jewelry, a photo booth, dunk tank, medical services and overall “great vibes for the community.”
A bigger purpose
And money raised will help the community, with proceeds benefiting Project Silk Lehigh Valley and its efforts to help local LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-21.
“I just wanted to create a safe space for everyone to feel like they could come have a great time and spread love and enjoy each other,” Prime said.
He said he thought only about 50 people were coming to last year’s event, but 300 showed up; this Sunday shows over 760 people are interested, according to the event’s Facebook page.