EQUALITY FEST IS A DAY LONG, FAMILY FRIENDLY COMMUNITY, ARTS & CULTURAL CELEBRATION HELD IN DOWNTOWN YORK CITY. The purpose of the festival is to foster connections, awareness and activism within the beautifully diverse citizenship of South Central PA. Inspired by the 2014 passage of Marriage Equality, Equality Fest combines LGBTQIA awareness and community with advocacy for all traditionally marginalized groups and the promotion of a culture that celebrates and embraces differences.

When: Sunday, August 6, 12pm-6pm

Where: Penn Park in York City, 100 W College Ave, York, PA 17401

Highlights of the day include:

12pm – 1pm    Interfaith Prayer and Blessing Ceremony for the Safety of Our City, coordinated by Pastor Eva O’Diam of Dover United Church of Christ and featuring jazz pianist Jason K and the HeidelFour

1pm – 2pm      A Rally for Unity featuring Mayor C. Kim Bracey, President of Equality PA and TransCentral PA, Joanne Carrol, Grace Rustia of AARP Pennsylvania, Katherine Lugaro of Harrisburg Rising, Lou Rivera of the Human Relations Commission, Glenn Paul and Michael Wascovitch, Mayoral Candidate and Borough Council Members of Hallam Borough as well as the SGI Japanese Taiko Drummers, the Balistik Cru Breakdancers, Luna Ketta Bellydance, and singer/songwriter, Caroline Rose

2pm – 5pm      Musical showcase featuring reggae by B-Tropical of York, hip-hop from Lady Rain of New York, folk by Suzi Brown of Harrisburg, blues by Shane Haddaway of York, and indie rock by Jasper the Tourist of York

5pm – 6pm      Drag showcase featuring Miss Stallions 2017, Sarabesque and Veronica Lush of Baltimore

All Day             Family Fest Interactive Area with activities like…a community quilt creation station, community conversation stations where festival attendees can sit down and talk with a police officer, a practicing Jew or Muslim, a transgender person, etc., community activism postcarding stations, a safe space meditation gathering place, the Promote Peace Yoga tent, Derby Dame roller derby demos, tons of kids games, and more.