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.