Once again the Delta Foundation has been working hard to prepare for this year’s Pride festivities.

2008’s Pride in the Street and the Pride March were incredibly successful, and this year the Delta Foundation has promised to make the 2009 festivities even more exciting.

 “There are so many great things in store this year and I can’t wait for everybody to see what’s exciting and new for this year’s Pride,” said Cassandra Buncie, director of marketing and development for the Delta Foundation.

Although it is still too early to announce many of the new projects and sponsorships for this year’s festival, Buncie assures Out that the community will be even more thrilled with this year’s festival.

Pride Week 2009 will take place June 8-14, with Pride in the Street held on June 13 and the Pride March and Festival on June 14.

The festival will again feature two stages for a mix of local and national entertainment. Additionally, roving street performers will entertain spectators  all afternoon at a variety of locations along the festival route.  

As usual, Pridefest will feature community resource information, a family zone, health screenings and many local businesses from the Pittsburgh region.

The City of Pittsburgh has also agreed to close cross traffic this year, allowing more space for the festival as well as a safer walking environment. The parking deck will remain open with in and out privileges on Smithfield Street.

Although the Delta Foundation has been investigating a number of exciting acts for Pride in the Street, the organization is not yet ready to announce the headlining act for this year’s Pride in the Street.

Many local and national sponsors have again expressed interest in Pride and the Pittsburgh GLBT community. Joining the growing list of sponsors this year is Southwest Airlines, which will be giving away two pairs of round trip tickets anywhere they fly in the United States.

Registration forms for Pride ’09 are available at www.PittsburghPrideSpace.com.  Also, the Delta Foundation is looking for “Partners in Pride” to sponsor events for GLBT Community Pride Week.  Grants of up to $500 (total of $2,500) will be available to produce a Pride event!

For up-to-date information on Pride,tickets, contests and promotions  for Pride 2009, check the newly launched website for Pittsburgh Pride, www.pittsburghpride.org.