The pride season each year kicks off with one my favorite small town parties, the New Hope Pride festival! This upscale, small town, Saturday afternoon party could not have been any more entertaining. Groups came from all over the area from both New Jersey and Pennsylvania to partake in a small but energetic parade starting at noon. After the parade visitors and supporters alike were welcomed to shop, eat, and drink the day away in the perfect spring weather. If there was one place I feel welcomes all people from all backgrounds for a day of fun in the sun, it’s this tiny town.

So what makes this event one of my favorites? Well…

1. People keep their cloths on – Yes it’s true, the entire day’s event was a day of casual hanging out, without the stampede of twinks running the streets shirtless, drunk off of illegally purchased liquor.

2. The vendors were generous – Large organizations came in to set up cute little booths selling and giving away products like jewelry and original pained artwork, to the Parx City Casino’s basil watering tin. There was such a wide variety of vendors giving and selling all sorts of products at very low, affordable prices.

3. The town was very respectful – I don’t think I saw one protestor the entire day. Imagine that, a town of people all accepting each other’s differences (crazy I know!) The locals meshed right in with all the LQBTQ supporters both during the parade as well as during the vendor fair and live entertainment.

4. There were only top quality eye candy entertainers – You know how you go to events and shows and it’s a letdown when the guys who are entertaining you aren’t attractive? Well not here! Performers included guys like the sexy Jeff Vitelli singing onstage (if you have not heard is voice yet…check him out on YouTube) to the jaw dropping boys from Michael Billy’s TLA Gay Mr. Gay World USA contestants. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve already Facebooked all these names I’ve just dropped (hint, hint…they are HOT!)

So if you missed this small town party, you HAVE to go check it out next year. Be sure to keep your eyes open for my next review of PhillyGayCalendar’s Big Gay Boat Party, another great party on the river.