Our Story

Officially incorporated in 2012, NWPA Pride Alliance is the driving force behind Pride events in Erie and Crawford Counties, uniting and celebrating the Queer community since 1992. Our mission: to enhance visibility, foster unity, and promote acceptance through diverse events and programs to create an inclusive space for all in Northwest Pennsylvania.

Since the official incorporation of NWPA Pride Alliance and our incorporation as a 501(c)(3), the organization has continued to grow. We now hold over 20 events every year! NWPA Pride relies on the support of partners within the Erie community to make these events a reality and is proud to offer events that are completely free to attend.

NWPA Pride Alliance has been involved in many events and gatherings throughout its existence, banding together to support our LGBTQIA+ family. On June 26, 2015, NWPA was part of the Love Wins celebration on the steps of the Erie County Courthouse, commemorating the ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges, making same-sex marriage legal.

On June 12, 2016, NWPA Pride held a candlelight vigil at the Zone in Erie, to honor the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. Over the many years of NWPA Pride being incorporated, we have created strong relationships with the city of Erie, local businesses, community members, and even local sports teams, including the Erie Seawolves and the Erie Otters.

NWPA Pride Alliance has grown significantly since our early days, and we're thrilled to celebrate even bigger and brighter in 2024! This year will be our biggest Pirde Fest yet with our first-ever Pride on the Bay at Liberty Park. We'll also continue representing the NWPA LGBTQIA+ community at beloved events like the Millcreek Fourth of July Parade, Erie Blues and Jazz Festival, Miss Erie Drag Pageant, and Edinboro Homecoming Parade, while fostering connections and giving back through our annual drives.

We're so grateful to our board members who work tirelessly to advance the visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community through NWPA Pride. We'd like to thank our two founding members, Michael Mahler and Season Crannell for their work at Pride.

And we'd like to thank our community and all those who have supported us.