Schuylkill County Pridefest Promotes Positivity, Togetherness, Empowerment, and Awareness

The 4th Annual Schuylkill County Pridefest brought together hundreds of residents to promote positivity, togetherness, empowerment, and awareness.

The event, which began in 2020, moved from its original location at the Pottsville Lions Ampitheater to the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds in 2022, due to the popularity and growth of the event.

 “Just like last year, we saw quite a few people; a diverse crowd. I was very pleased with the whole Pridefest 2023. except for the fact we brought it indoors even though we did not get any rain today” said Mikaela Gavaletz who organized the event and is a board member of the Youth Empowerment & Support LGBTQ Schuylkill County.

Attendees were treated to music, dancing, and entertainment from several drag performers coming to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community in the county.

Up to 40 vendors, both large and small, participated and showed their pride and support.

While the event is meant to be fun and entertaining, there is also a message of empowerment and awareness behind the event.

“It's about awareness, it's about empowering our country's youth, teens, young adults as I experienced in the 70’s and early 80’s. There were no resources, no safe spaces, nothing like this to find the help I was looking for back in the day. But to know that we are bringing this to the county is a great resource.”

With the closing words, Gavaletz says “It takes a village! This is what this was all about today. It's small business owners. It's about coming together as a community and having a good time. Whether you are gay, straight, trans, or cis. We are all here together, and we enjoy this day! It's a great celebration and I think we had another successful year!

For added fun, there was a lip sync contest where winners received tickets to Reading's pride event later this month, as well as concert tickets. The winner of one of the contests was 9-year-old, Andrew, who not only won with his lip syncing, but his dynamic and energetic moves that wowed the crowd as soon the song began!

Gavaletz said PrideFest 2024 is already in the works!

Photos and Story by Todd Bernhard