PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pride organizers have announced changes to this year’s festival after they say access was unexpectedly denied at Point State Park.
The festival will now take place at Allegheny Commons Park West.
“It is with a heavy heart that we face the denial from Point State Park this year,” said Dena Stanley, co-founder of the Pittsburgh Pride Group. “However, we are excited to return to Allegheny Commons Park West, a venue that has long embraced our community and provided a vibrant backdrop for our celebrations.”
A day after Pride organizers announced the changes, DCNR sent a statement to Channel 11 saying Pittsburgh Pride was not denied access. They say organizers have not submitted a completed application.
“DCNR has not denied access to Point State Park to Pittsburgh Pride. The Department attempted to work with the organizers of Pittsburgh Pride to help them apply for the proper permitting, but at this time, Pittsburgh Pride has not submitted a completed application. The Department has made multiple attempts to contact event organizers, but they have not been responsive,” the statement says in part.
DCNR says there are guidelines for all events at Point State Park and says it supports Pittsburgh Pride being held at the park.
“If the organizers are interested in using the park in the future, we hope to work with them well in advance to make that happen. DCNR is committed to making the lands that we manage safe and welcoming to all Pennsylvanians,” the statement says in part.
Organizers included an updated schedule in a news release:
Friday, May 31, 2024 | The Opening Celebration
- Time: 2 to 8 p.m.
- Location: Allegheny Commons Park West
- Details: Featuring 30+ local artists, headlining performances by The First Ladies of Disco, and a special opening act by the No. 1 Beyonce impersonator in the USA Riley Knoxx.
Saturday, June 1, 2024 | Pittsburgh Pride March + Celebration
- Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: Allegheny Commons Park West
- March Details: Participants start lining up at 10 a.m. on Liberty Avenue at 11th Street, stepping off at noon, and arriving at the park by 1 p.m.
- Festival Details: The park opens at 11 a.m., with the local performances featuring 40+ LGBTQIA+ artists starting at 2 p.m., headlined by Grammy nominated,power-house vocalist, and television personality Tamar Braxton.https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/pittsburgh-pride-2024-new-location-parade-route-more-announced/U3VWUZJN4NGGFCGFILAZZSWBZM/
Sunday, June 2, 2024 | Pride Festival Closing Block Party
- Time: 2 to 8 p.m.
- Location: Bloomfield (near Trace Brewery & COBRA)
- Details: The day features live entertainment, food, and activities, marking the conclusion of Pittsburgh Pride 2024. 30+ local artists will hit the stage alongside special performances by Co-Headliners; Manny DiBiachi (Hip Hop), Heading North (Rock Band), and the Be Gay (Do Crime) Drag Collective, setting the stage for the main event featuring, tik-tok viral sensation The Real X Man.
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