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Department of Military and Veterans Affairs searching for photos of Vietnam War veterans throughout the state

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WVW celebrates art, history with Artigras event

<p>MOOSIC &#8212; NEPA PrideFest will begin yet a new chapter this year when the annual event moves to Montage Mountain.</p><p>Kelly Novakowski, co-chair of the NEPA Rainbow Alliance, believes the move is a positive one, enabling people from all over the area to access the celebration. The location is central to both Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, making it accessible to members of the LGBTQ+ community.</p><p>The event, now in its ninth year, moved to the Tomato Festival grounds on Main Street in Pittston last year after a seven-year stretch at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>&#8220;Pittston has been great to us,&#8221; Novakowski said. &#8220;We&#8217;re just holding the event at Montage to provide those who attend with access to the water park and the restaurant.&#8221;</p><p>Novakowski said the event has been consistently growing, providing members of the LGBTQ+ community an opportunity to gather socially and learn about available resources.</p><p>&#8220;Some people live outside of the area and return to attend every year,&#8221; she said.</p><p>Novakowski recalls the first year when the event was similar to &#8220;a picnic in the park.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;Now, several thousand people participate,&#8221; she said.</p><p>Novakowski said organizers have kept the price at $5 so those interested have an opportunity to attend.</p><p>The organization also recently announced the opening of a community center in downtown Pittston slated for this fall.</p><p>&#8220;Pittston has been very very good to us,&#8221; she said. &#8220;The fact that they have a<a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/377742/a-new-chapter-for-nepa-pridefest" target="_blank"> non-discrimination ordinance</a> makes it the perfect setting for us. We look at Pittston as our home.&#8221;</p><p>&#8212; N</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">PrideFest 2015 was held at the Tomato Festival grounds on Main Street in Pittston. The event will be held on Montage Mountain this year. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_PSD081615PrideFest_2.jpg</photo0><caption0>PrideFest 2015 was held at the Tomato Festival grounds on Main Street in Pittston. The event will be held on Montage Mountain this year. </caption0><photoCredit0>Bill Tarutis file photo | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons</p></shirttailMeta></div>

NEPA PrideFest 2016 will be held at Montage Mountain