Pride is again on prominent display this year in Montgomery County.
June is Pride Month, an annual celebration that focuses on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities, as well as those of other sexual orientation or gender identities (LGBTQ+). Five different events are scheduled across the county to reflect their joy.
In Royersford
The borough’s Parks and Recreation Department is collaborating with Pink Moose Ice Cream Café and Catering, 147 Main St., Royersford, in the third annual “PRIDE Event for ALL.” It’s scheduled for Saturday (June 10) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the café. Visitors can decorate their own sweet treats, and also take advantage of fun arts and crafts projects as take-aways.
The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is requested and is available online.
In Collegeville
Drag Show Bingo, “a day of drag performances, cash prizes, raffles, and of course, Bingo” games, is planned for Saturday (June 10) at two different times – 2 p.m. (doors open at 1 p.m.) and 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) – at IBEW 98 North, 3900 Ride Pike at Crosskeys Road, Collegeville. The event, 16 miles from Pottstown, benefits Laurel House and its work to end domestic violence.
The 7 p.m. show is already sold out, organizers said. A limited number of tickets for the 2 p.m. show may be available at the door; check availability, Laurel House suggests, by calling 484-636-7481.
There should be extra rejoicing in the room for both shows. They were interrupted by the pandemic in 2019, and are returning after the years-long hiatus.
In Pottstown
Soul Joel’s Comedy Club and Lounge, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown, launches its third annual “Pridezilla at Soul Joel’s” event Sunday (June 11) at 5 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.), with entertainment continuing well into the night. Pridezilla includes a drag show featuring Jimbo from RuPaul’s Drag Race, comedian Aunt Mary Pat, a drag tribute to the Spice Girls, and performances from “fabulous local Queens.”
They will be followed at 7 p.m. by a comedy show headlined by Irene Tu, and at 8:30 by a second show headlined by Jessica Kirson. Tickets for selected or all events are available online.
In Lansdale
The seventh annual Lansdale “Pride Walk” and “Pride in the Park” Festival will be held Sunday (June 11, 2023) from noon to 4 p.m. Organizers say the walk, scheduled from noon to 1 p.m., will start on Madison Street near Railroad Plaza, proceed along West Main Street, and end at Memorial Park.
It will be followed from 1-4 p.m. by the festival, a free and family-and-pet-friendly event that highlights “LGBTQ+ owned and allied businesses, organizations, and resources,” its website said.
The event is a 29-mile drive from Pottstown. It’s hosted by the Ambler-based Montgomery County LGBT Business Council.
In Jenkintown
It’s indoor, it’s outdoor, it’s free, and it’s open to the public. It’s the third annual Bucks-Mont Pride Festival, scheduled for June 25 (Monday) from noon to 5 p.m. on the grounds of the Abington Art Center, 515 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown.
The festival features live music, a drumline, an eight-woman circus arts company, singers, actors, and comedians. There’s food available for purchase from Menagerie Foods, Hosey Made, Glitteratti Bakery, and Absolutely Fresh. It also offers a variety of community resources and family-friendly activities.
The event is a 43-mile drive from Pottstown. It’s hosted by Sexuality and Gender Acceptance, a program of The Welcome Project PA.
Need some background?
To learn more about Pride Month and its history, look to The History Channel.
Photo “Party LGBT” by south_nostalgia on Envato Elements,
used by Travels With The Post under license
