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2023 Pride Festival Vendor Information

July 29th 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Soldiers Grove
Harrisburg, PA

The 2023 Pride Festival of Central PA, celebrating its 31th anniversary, will be returning to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Capitol Complex Grounds, at Soldiers Grove. Soldiers Grove is located on Commonwealth Avenue, behind the Capitol Building, between North and South Drives. The Pride Festival of Central PA made history in 2017 as the first Pride Festival in the nation to be held on the grounds of a State Capitol.

Applications
F.A.Q.s

Thank you for your interest in being a part of the Pride Festival of Central PA. Our organization is dedicated to providing a safe environment for people of the LGBTQ+ and Ally community to celebrate their diversity while supporting local economic growth by partnering with the community and attracting individuals to Central Pennsylvania.

About the Pride Festival of Central PA

Since 1992, Pride Festival of Central PA has held an annual festival each summer to promote awareness and showcase organizations and businesses  available to the LGBTQ+ and Ally communities. Pride Festival weekend provides several safe environments for people of the LGBTQ+ and Ally communities to celebrate their diversity and support local economic growth by partnering with the community, and attracting individuals to Central Pennsylvania.

The mission of the Pride Festival of Central PA:

In all of its activities and efforts, the Pride Festival of Central PA shall have as a central aspiration the achievement of equity for all underrepresented groups and to increase the positive visibility of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) community of Central Pennsylvania by providing opportunities to express and celebrate diverse perspectives, emphasizing acceptance of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

Reserve Your Space

Vendor spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. Not all applicants may be accepted based on availability of space or conflicting products/services. We make every attempt to limit duplicate food vendors (those selling the same products).

Early Bird Discount 5%- Applications need to be received by 3/31

Charges will be immediate to credit card submitted. Incomplete applications or unexpected rejections are subject to refund.

Food Vendors

Food vendors are required to provide a copy of their General Merchant License and Special Events Health License for the City of Harrisburg. Please click on the licenses below to download the necessary forms to begin the application process.

City of Harrisburg General License Application

Special Event Health License Application

Apply for Aid

If you would like to apply for financial aid please contact us. We will review your case and issue discounts based on need.

Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the times of the event?
The 2023 Pride Festival of Central PA, celebrating its 31th anniversary, will be held on Saturday, July 29th from 11 AM – 6 PM.
How do I know if my application was accepted?
Once you apply online, and payment is made online via credit card, you should receive a confirmation email that your application has been accepted.  This year, payments must be made at the time of application.
In some instances, we may be limited in who we can accept as a vendor (i.e. exclusivity contracts) and/or we may limit vendors based on similar products. The earlier you register, the better chance you have to avoid that situation.
In very rare instances we may revoke our acceptance of an application for previous non-compliance with our rules. In such circumstances, vendors would be notified within 7 days.
Where is our spot?

Upon check-in you will receive a festival map and be directed to your spot by a volunteer. Refunds are not provided to vendors who do not like their space although the Pride Board may entertain requests if alternate space(s) are available.

What are the setup and teardown times?
Festival setup begins at 6:00 AM and ends at 10:30 AM. All vendors should enter through Commonwealth Avenue, behind the Capitol Building. No scheduling is needed this year for vendors, but all vendors and sponsors should arrive no later than 9:30 AM. Vendors and sponsors will be able to offload close to their spots, and will then be required to move their vehicles.  All vendors must be fully set up by 10:30 AM.
Food Trucks must get to the festival site no later than 8 AM to set up their trucks. 
Teardown will begin at 6:00 PM, after the headliner has finished performing. Vendors are responsible for the trash or refuse at their vendor location, or associated with their vendor activities. We respectfully ask that you also clean up the area surrounding your vending space. Trash MUST be taken to the available dumpster. Any vendor not in compliance will be barred from participating in future events.
Important: No fees or charges will be refunded to vendors who fail to arrive within the setup window, or who are no shows.
Where do we park?

7th Street Garage will have special event parking for $10. All Capitol Complex parking is free on Saturdays, regardless of the state employee signs. Walnut Street Unp, located under the State Street Bridge, has quite a few spots.

What about wristbands?

Wristbands are not necessary at this year’s festival. Suggested donation for entry will be $10.

What about tents, tables & chairs?
Tents are strongly suggested, as the event is outside, rain or shine. 
Tents are NOT available for rental from the Pride Festival. Tables are available to rent at $10 each and extra chairs at $2 each for ONLY those vendors who requested to rent them via their vendor application. 
PLEASE NOTE: Tables and chairs are no longer included with application fees. If you require a table and/or chairs, you MUST order them on your application.
What about electricity?

Electricity can no longer be provided to vendors with our location change to Soldiers Grove located on the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex. Vendors needing electricity will be responsible for providing their own generator, cords and hook-ups. There is no water or ice available at the site either.

Is there a dress code?

As the Pride Festival continues to grow, more patrons bring their families and friends with small children. With this in mind, please respect public decency. The following are not acceptable attire on the Pride Festival grounds or during the event:

  • Visible underwear or what appears to be underwear
  • G-strings
  • Speedos
  • Loin cloths
  • BDSM attire or accessories that highlight genitalia or buttocks

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Board Members reserve the right to deny event entry and or eject any individuals or groups (vendors, participants or patrons) who do not adhere to this policy.

Do I need to have a special license for this event?

Food vendors must have a valid City of Harrisburg Health License and Mercantile License, and a one-day Special Events Health License. To obtain these licenses or if you have any questions, please contact 717-255-3020 and/or the Health Officer of the City of Harrisburg at 717-255-6552. A link is provided on the website to download the license applications.

Are there any other rules that I need to be aware of as a food vendor?

All food vendors must comply with all health regulations, including being fully clothed at all times. Covid regulations at the time of Festival may determine mask wearing. All trash must be disposed of in the dumpster provided at the event. Pride will provide receptacles for the food court area, which are provided for attendees to dispose of trash. Food vendors MUST use the dumpster to dispose of their trash. Any vendor not complying with this rule will forfeit vendor fees, and will be asked to leave the festival. They will also not be invited back for future events.

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