From May 11-15, New Hope Celebrates — a nonprofit lesbian, gay, transgendered, bisexual and allied tourism and marketing organization in New Hope — will stage a week of gay pride activities, tours, parties and parades.
The event — typical of New Hope — is geared toward participation by all.
”DO tell—equality for all!” is the slogan for the eighth annual New Hope Celebrates Pride week, in commemoration of the legislative repeal of the so-called “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policies. Members of the military, both retired and currently serving, are invited to march in the festival parade on May 14.
”Freedom to BE” is the chosen theme of the parade, sponsored by Wells Fargo banking services. It will be composed of floats, bands ranging from the local high school to New York City’s Big Apple Corps, Mummers and musical marching legions of Philadelphia. Many groups will march including a teacher’s group from New Hope-Solebury High School, and members from Planned Parenthood of Bucks County’s Rainbow Room LGBTA teen center.
Pre-parade guest speakers include Mark Siegal, publisher and columnist from the Philadelphia Gay News; and Ted Martin, head of Pennsylvania’s Equality PA. All afternoon downtown, a “Block Party” will showcase local musical talent on Mechanic, historically the street of the arts.
”Friday Night Fireworks” will kick-off the season on May 13 in honor of New Hope Celebrates Pride. Co-sponsored by the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce, this is a display at dusk over the Delaware River and the kick-off of the second annual Friday fireworks. It will begin at 8:30 p.m. Garden State Fireworks will light up the sky via a barge, constructed by Niece Lumber.
Visit www.NewHopeLambertvilleFireworks.com for more information on viewing spots, public parking, bathrooms and weather updates. Friday Night Fireworks will begin in earnest on May 27 at 9:30 p.m. and continue for 15 weeks. The fireworks are 100 percent funded through private donations from businesses, residents and general patrons. To make a tax-deductible contribution, send a check to: New Hope/Lambertville Fireworks, P.O. Box 633, New Hope, 18938.
For the first time, Lambertville will be an active participant in the pride festival and one of the main dances of the weekend will be held on May 14, in the ballroom of the Lambertville Inn.
”CLUE into New Hope,” on May 14, is a mystery scavenger hunt, which will offer festival goers an opportunity to win prizes by picking up clues spread throughout various attractions and gathering spots of the two towns. Families will be entertained on that day as well, sponsored by the Cornerstone Clubs, in fun and physical activities such as Zumba for Kids, followed by a kid-friendly buffet where thousands of dollars worth of amusement passes will be given away, courtesy of Sesame Place theme park in Langhorne, Pa.
The “Art and History Crawl” will take place during the evening of May 14, led by local artists and historians. Five galleries in New Hope will hold mini-talks while patrons snack on wine and cheese. Earlier that day, festival goers will have the opportunity to attend a vendor fair at The Raven in New Hope, which will feature service organizations, yoga sessions, demonstrations, food concession, retail displays and two wealth management seminars, given by experts from Merrill Lynch.
Scheduled NHC night attractions include the previously mentioned Lambertville Inn Retro Dance (May 14,) Girls Night Out at Triumph Brewing Company featuring singer Christine Havrilla (May 13,) Ladies 2000 at Havana (May 15) and Afterglow T-Dance pool side at The Raven (May 15.) The latter will feature comedian/singer Miss Richfield, “America’s Got Talent” finalists, The DC Cowboys and local entertainer Miss Pumpkin.
All New Hope music venues will showcase special entertainers: TV and Broadway comedian Judy Gold and singer Sharon McNight at Bob Egan’s New Hope cabaret, located in the Ramada Inn (May 14.); Sunday, comedian Poppy Champlin, prior to Ladies 2000 at Havana (May 15.)
Pre-weekend events commence on May 10 at the official Rainbow Flag Raise, featuring a flag traditionally lent to New Hope by sister-city Key West, Fla. There is FACT “Diva” BINGO, a benefit for Fighting Aids Continuously Together, at the Eagle Fire Company in New Hope (May 11). This will include a performance by the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus. There will be two “drag” shows: Karla’s Restaurant (May 11) and Pumpkin’s Pride Show at The Raven (May 13) as well as a Sponsorship Kick Off party, for sponsors and NHC members, at Sandbar in New Hope (May 12.)
All activities for New Hope Celebrates Pride can be viewed at www.newhopecelebrates.com.

