PITTSTON -- For the first time in eight years, the annual Pridefest event won't be held in Wilkes-Barre.
For the past seven years NEPA Rainbow Alliance has hosted Pridefest to celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. It's usually held at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre, but this year it will be held in Pittston.
"It seems like we were pushed aside. I don't know why."
Peter Weeby owns a funnel cake and food truck. He's been a vendor at Pridefest every year.
Weeby and some other vendors say they feel left behind, saying with this move, Pridefest organizers didn't consider vendors who have been with them from the beginning.
In the city of Pittston, an ordinance requires outside food vendors to pay to participate.
"They are telling me they want $500 for a permit for me to go there, plus I'd have to pay Pridefest themselves I think an addition $200. That's a lot of money for a six-hour job."
Pridefest organizers acknowledge that some loyal vendor will not be able to participate this year, because of the move to the Tomato Festival grounds in Pittston. But they insist that this was done for the overall betterment of Pridefest and for those in the LGBT community.
"This has been a great year for the LGBT community, with the Supreme Court ruling and even something like Caitlyn Jenner. That is just fantastic stuff happening all over the place, and we really think a place like Pittston is going to allow us to grow," said Paul Strunk.
Strunk is chairing Pridefest this year and says the new location is more centralized for people in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties.
But it's also in a city that supports equal rights for people in the LGBT community.
"Right now there are only two cities in our region that have that no discrimination ordinance: the city of Pittston and Scranton."
This year's Pridefest will be held on Saturday August 15.