WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The threat of rain could not prevent a loud and proud gathering in Downtown Wilkes-Barre. A parade with roughly 800 participants made its way around Public Square for the Annual NEPA Pridefest.
The LGBTQ+ community and others formed an estimated crowd of thousands that jammed into Center City for live entertainment, food vendors, and craft vendors.
The city beefed up security for the event by using huge dump trucks to close off Public Square.
Supporters of Pridefest say the event shows how love, and not hate, helps create a community of togetherness.
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"Our community needs strong leaders. We need to speak up, we need to stand strong, and we need to commit to our community and those around us," NEPA PrideFest Pageant Winner Kali Coutour said.
"I feel like when everyone's together and loving each other in their own particular way that everyone's unique abilities could come out and they can be theirself (sic) without having to have a shadow over their face or a mask to hide it," Kyle Hoo stated.
"Just being able to be free and not being worried about getting judged anywhere we go here," Karrah Simsotway from Plymouth told 28/22 News.
The Rainbow Alliance organized this year's Pridefest, which was presented by the Wright Center for Community Health.
