Mt. Carmel Pride returned for a second year on Saturday, June 11.
The event was at Merchants Park in downtown Mt. Carmel, just across the street from the county courthouse. More than 300 people came to the event, a big increase from last year’s 200.
However, along with more people coming to celebrate, there were also those trying to protest the festival. A local church group wearing shirts that read “Take Back The Rainbow” set up on the sidewalk in front of the park. Members did walk through the fest trying to engage people and also intercepted people trying to enter the event. They stopped intercepting people after Mount Carmel Police warned them off and stuck to just staying at the entrance of the park. One woman, who preferred not to give her name for safety, actually stood between the protestors’ table and the rest of the festival.
The festival had food trucks, information booths, art tables and vendors along with live music.
All photos by Tom Wray.
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