The Reading Pride Celebration Festival is on the move.
The organization that hosts the annual event, Reading Pride Celebration, announced Friday that the 2022 edition of the festival will be held at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township because the event is outgrowing its previous location at Centre Park in Reading.
“The decision to move our pride festival is exciting but also emotional,” Reading Pride Celebration’s Enrique Castro said in a statement announcing the change. “We’ve known for a while that the festival might one day outgrow the park we’ve called home for the past 15 years. And, after scouting some new locations for logistic purposes, the board voted for Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township for the 2022 festival.”
Reading Mayor Eddie Moran said that while he was sad to learn about the decision to move the pride festival out of the city, he is also grateful and honored for the fabulous 15 years that it served as its host.
“During those 15 years, the festival did a great job highlighting and bringing awareness of the diversity and inclusivity challenges many individuals face,” he said. “Their success is seen in the event’s growth and popularity, which requires it to move to a venue bigger than Centre Park. The festival became and will remain the most important LGBTQI celebration of our region.”
Moran said the organization has set the bar high in the mission of advancing the rights and inclusion of all. He added that he will continue to support the festival regardless of its location and hope it finds its way home in Reading in the future.
And even though the festival is moving, Reading Pride Celebration will continue to have a presence in the city. Its office at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts will continue to be open to all and serve as the venue for many other events.
“We have built great relationships within the city in planning this festival, and remain thankful to Mayor Moran, city council and the residents of the city for always making our festival and attendees feel welcome,” Castro said. “While our festival is expanding to serve a larger community, Reading will remain the home of our organization, our office, the pride afterparty, programs and many other events.”
Karen Schreiber, recreation superintendent for Muhlenberg Township, said the municipality is excited to welcome the Reading Pride Celebration Festival, its organizers and attendees later this year.
The Reading Pride Celebration Festival will be held July 17 from noon to 6 p.m. at Jim Dietrich Park.
