Berks Pride Fest will mark its 20th anniversary on Sunday, July 19, with a daylong celebration at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township.
Hosted by Reading Pride Celebration, the festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and commemorate two decades of LGBTQ+ pride, visibility and community in Berks County. Organizers said what began as a grassroots gathering in 2006 has grown into the county’s largest and longest-running LGBTQ+ Pride celebration, attracting thousands of attendees each year.
This year’s festival will feature an expanded entertainment lineup that extends beyond its traditional drag performances. Organizers said attendees can expect live singers, bands, dance teams, acrobatic acts, comedy performances and other entertainment designed to offer a family-friendly experience.
In addition to the stage performances, the festival will include local businesses, artists, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, food vendors, educational resources and family-friendly activities. Organizers said the event is intended to provide opportunities for attendees to connect with organizations serving the Greater Reading area.
“Twenty years ago, a small group of dedicated volunteers believed Berks County deserved a Pride celebration of its own,” said Sean Flannery, president of Reading Pride Celebration. “Today, Berks Pride Fest has become a place where thousands of people come together to celebrate who they are, build lasting connections, and experience the strength of our community. This anniversary is an opportunity to honor everyone who helped build this tradition while looking ahead to an even brighter future. Pride is more than a single day—it’s about creating a place where everyone knows they belong. We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate this milestone together.”
Organizers said the festival continues to provide a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends and allies while promoting visibility, belonging and community.
Reading Pride Celebration is still accepting applications from businesses, artists, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups and food vendors interested in participating in the festival. Vendor space remains available.
The organization is also seeking volunteers to assist with welcoming guests, supporting vendors and performers, providing information, helping with setup and logistics, and other event operations. Organizers said volunteers from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate.
Berks Pride Fest 2026 will be held at Jim Dietrich Park, 4899 Stoudts Ferry Bridge Road, Reading. Advance tickets, vendor applications, volunteer information and additional event details are available at readingpride.org. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the festival entrance on the day of the event.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source berksweekly.com ’
