Pittsburgh Pride being held at Allegheny Commons Park after organizers claim "unexpected denial" from Point State Park
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh Pride will now be held at Allegheny Commons Park West once again after organizers said they were "denied access" to Point State Park, citing challenges that they say point to "deeper systemic issues."
The change comes just 30 days before the start of the festival.
Earlier this year, organizers announced the event would take place at Point State Park. On Tuesday, they shared on social media that that's not the case anymore.
Organizers released more details to KDKA, saying in a statement:
Unexpected and stringent requirements were placed on our event, not typically imposed on similar festivals, influenced by decisions that seemed unusually discretionary.
In the meantime, they said they're "committed to making this the best LGBTQIA festival in the Commonwealth."
Over at The Sandwich Shoppe on Western Avenue, a short walk from Allegheny Commons Park West, Owner Tony Folino welcomed the event's return to the neighborhood.
"It brings a lot of people, new faces to the business, old faces, just an altogether community thing here," Folino said. "You see, everybody just out there enjoying themselves no problems, you know, just having a good old time."
Pride will take place in the park on May 31 and June 1, and then close with a block party in Bloomfield on June 2.
It gives Folino just enough time to get ready.
"It's hard to prepare, but you know, you take it as it comes you know, if everybody's at one time, you just got to step it up and move," Folino said.
A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which is in charge of Point State Park, released the following statement to KDKA:
DCNR has not denied access to Point State Park to Pittsburgh Pride. The Department attempted to work with the organizers of Pittsburgh Pride to help them apply for the proper permitting, but at this time, Pittsburgh Pride has not submitted a completed application. The Department has made multiple attempts to contact event organizers, but they have not been responsive.
There are guidelines in place at Point State Park for all events to ensure visitors attending them are safe and to help the park manage large events. DCNR applies these guidelines in the same way to all organizers. DCNR is supportive of the Pride event being held at Point State Park. If the organizers are interested in using the park in the future, we hope to work with them well in advance to make that happen. DCNR is committed to making the lands that we manage safe and welcoming to all Pennsylvanians.
Schedule of events for 2024 Pittsburgh Pride
The opening celebration of the festival will take place on Friday, May 31 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Allegheny Commons Park West and will feature more than 30 local artists.
The festival will continue on Saturday, June 1 at Allegheny Commons Park West following the Pittsburgh Pride March.
Participants in the march will begin lining up at 10 a.m. near the Greyhound bus station on Liberty Avenue. The march will begin at Noon and arrive at Allegheny Commons by 1 p.m.
The park will open at 11 a.m. that day with more than 40 artists scheduled to perform starting at 2 p.m.
Pittsburgh Pride 2024 will wrap up on Sunday, June 2 with a block party in Bloomfield from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. near Trace Brewery with live entertainment, food, activities, and more than 30 artists performing throughout the afternoon and evening.