Photos from LGBTQ Pride at New Hope Celebrates

Note: My visit to New Hope, PA was sponsored in part by VisitPhilly.com.

It didn’t take us long to get to New Hope—a short, one-hour drive from Philadelphia along the highway at first, and then through a forest. Green tress, rolling hills, and dark blue rivers on either side for the duration of our drive.

Nestled midway between Philadelphia and New York City, New Hope is a quaint town with all the markings of most New England towns. All those signs of pure Americana. A Main Street with locally-owned shops, restaurants, bakeries, pubs, and even a theater.

But on this sunny Saturday, the town was more alive and vibrant than ever. Rainbow pride flags dotted the street. The bridge connecting New Hope over in Bucks County, PA to Lambertville (in New Jersey) was shut to the traffic. New Hope Celebrates, the region’s largest LGBTQ pride celebration, had taken over both cities.

The pride march began in Lambertville shortly after noon and marched across the iconic bridge into New Hope, before turning a corner and making its way down New Hope’s Main Street. A pride park at the end of the pride parade had taken over a small park with plenty of LGBTQ shop vendors and activists. There were no shortage of rainbow stickers!

Crowds of people at the bars and restaurants in both cities along the route cheered on the march. As a very family-friendly event, it was heartwarming to see so many supporters and allies out for the day. Even while there were a handful of anti-gay protestors, it didn’t stop everyone from having a good time.

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Read more recommendations on things to do in New Hope, PA in my travel guide.

NEW HOPE, PA — TRAVEL GUIDE

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About New Hope Celebrates

New Hope Celebrates takes place in mid-May each year
Starting in Lambertville and ending in New Hope, it’s possibly the only pride parade to cross state border
Activities take place all week with drag shows, pool parties, and more
Learn more at newhopecelebrates.com