Morgan Kennedy exclaims, "It allows me to be me," while waving from a convertible during the New Hope Celebrates Pride Parade on Saturday, May, 21, 2016.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoice
by Dave Angilella PhillyVoice Contributor
On Saturday, May 21, the fraternal twin cities of New Hope, Pennsylvania, and Lambertville, New Jersey, hosted the New Hope Celebrates (NHC) Pride Parade. The nationally recognized parade is the gem of the Annual Pride Festival, which drew an estimated 13,000 people this year and is said to be the only Pride event that crosses state lines.
"New Hope recognizes and celebrates diversity," was the message on the group's Facebook page. The vibe on Saturday was one of just that — a multidimensional celebration of diverse identities free from discrimination and celebrated in the streets. Bands, motorcycle clubs, floats and more sashayed their way through the streets of Lambertville and across the Lambertville-New Hope Bridge into Pennsylvania.
Although rain was in the forecast, participants and viewers alike came out to celebrate as if the only possibility was sunshine all day. Their energy was enough to stave off the bad weather for the duration of the parade, which ended in cheers and a breakout moment of dancing in the streets under a light drizzle.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoicePride is celebrated between New Hope, Pennsylvania, and Lambertville, New Jersey.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceKathy Merchant-Kliwinski and her wife, Connie Merchant-Kliwinski, flash their smiles as a light drizzle sets in. They were determined to continue enjoying the day.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceThe band marches on at the NHC Pride Parade and Annual Pride Festival in Lambertville and New Hope on Saturday, May 21, 2016.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceThe NHC Pride Parade and Annual Pride Festival in Lambertville and New Hope on Saturday, May 21, 2016.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceThe crowd watches as a parade float of a giant pair of high heels passes by toward the end of the parade in Lambertville, New Jersey.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceIt was Aviva Daniels' first time at the NHC Pride Parade.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceBubbles grew up 6 miles from New Hope in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. The 39-year-old singer said that he enjoys that Pride allows people to be themselves. 'Every day is a parade for me, though!' he exclaimed right before blowing large bubbles out into the crowd.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceCassandra cheers on the procession and encourages her daughter, Basie, to wave as people walk by. 'This is Basie's first Pride. It's exciting and, of course, I'm here to support!'
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceColor guard members of New York City's Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps Marching Band interpret the music into emotive dance as they cross the bridge from Lambertville, New Jersey, into New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceMembers of the New Jersey Eagles Motorcycle Club ride over the bridge into New Hope, Pennsylvania, during the NHC Pride Parade and Annual Pride Festival in Lambertville and New Hope on Saturday, May 21, 2016.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceMembers of Heritage of Pride NYC hold a banner during the NHC Pride Parade and Annual Pride Festival in Lambertville and New Hope on Saturday, May 21, 2016, commemorating the Stonewall riots of 1969.