New Hope Celebrates announces October events leading up to the 22nd Annual High Heel Drag Race
NEW HOPE, PA — New Hope Celebrates (NHC) will commemorate LGBTQ+ History Month with OUT in October 2026, a monthlong celebration featuring wellness, theater, family programming, drag performances and community gatherings throughout the Delaware River towns and surrounding region. The celebration will culminate Sunday, October 25, with the 22nd Annual High Heel Drag Race on West Mechanic Street in New Hope.
This year’s theme, “Over the Rainbow,” takes on added meaning as contestants race along West Mechanic Street, now home to a permanent Progress Pride street art installation. After five years of planning, the mural was unveiled in July. It was designed by local resident Paul Kokesh and made possible through the Bucks County Tourism Grant Program. Reflecting the colors of the Progress Pride Flag, it honors the diversity, resilience and history of the LGBTQ+ community while reinforcing New Hope’s enduring commitment to visibility, inclusion and belonging.
“OUT in October celebrates LGBTQ+ history while creating joyful opportunities for people to gather, connect and experience the welcoming spirit of the river towns,” said Rich Lucarini, president of New Hope Celebrates. “The new rainbow crosswalk adds another meaningful symbol of visibility and belonging to this year’s High Heel Drag Race.”
Originally organized by the local chamber of commerce, the High Heel Drag Race was entrusted to New Hope Celebrates in 2015. NHC has since expanded the tradition into the signature finale of OUT in October, drawing large crowds to West Mechanic Street to cheer on queens, kings
and other daring contestants racing in heels.
OUT in October 2026 Event Lineup
The Path to Pride – Wellness Walk
Saturday, October 3 at 11 a.m. | Goat Hill Overlook, 20 George Washington Road, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Step outside with New Hope Celebrates and Penn Medicine for the Path to Pride Wellness Walk at Goat Hill Overlook. Led by Maria Benerofe of Princeton Health Community Wellness, this relaxed, all-levels, 30-minute walk offers fresh air, autumn scenery, and picturesque views of the Delaware River, Lambertville, and New Hope. Every body is welcome to move, connect, and enjoy the outdoors together! This is a free event, and registration is encouraged, but not required.
LGBTQ+ Night OUT for Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Saturday, October 10 at 7 p.m. | Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol, PA 19007
Sink your teeth into a hilarious night OUT with NHC! Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is a wild, fast-paced reinvention of the classic vampire tale, filled with outrageous humor, quick-change performances, and a
delightfully modern twist. Arrive at 7:00 PM for an NHC preshow reception featuring a cocktail, complimentary light bites, and time to mingle before the 8:00 PM curtain. A portion of ticket sales will support NHC, so come for the thrills, stay for the laughs, and prepare for a bloody good time.
Drag Queen Story Hour
Sunday, October 11 at 11 a.m. | Lambertville Free Public Library, 6 Lilly St., Lambertville, NJ 08530
Gather the family for a f r e e and magical Drag Queen Story Hour. Summer Clearance and Morgan Kennedy will bring reading to life through colorful costumes, engaging stories, laughter, and interactive fun. Perfect for children and the young at heart, this special event celebrates creativity, kindness, inclusion, and the joy of being exactly who you are. Through stories that champion confidence and pride, young readers can explore their imaginations in a warm and welcoming environment.
NHC & OddBird OUT in October Happy Hour
Thursday, October 15 at 4 p.m. | Odd Bird Brewing, 10 Risler St., Stockton, NJ 08559
Raise a glass with NHC during a casual community happy hour. Grab a drink, reconnect with familiar faces, meet new friends, and enjoy a spirited evening celebrating community, inclusion, and living OUT and proud! A portion of the proceeds from all pours will be donated to the Rainbow Room, which supports LGBTQ+ youth. No registration is required, so stop by and toast to OUT in October with friends, neighbors, and allies.
Divine Intervention Cabaret
Saturday, October 24 at 8 p.m. | New Hope Arts Center, 2 Stockton Ave., New Hope, PA 18938
Cue the spotlight and prepare for a little Divine Intervention. Miss NHC 2024 Diva Divine Monroe and friends will take the stage for a high-energy drag cabaret filled with live singing, fierce dancing, fabulous group numbers, showstopping performances, and plenty of laughs! Doors open at 7:30 PM, with the performance beginning at 8:00 PM. Come ready to laugh, sing along, and enjoy a theatrical evening that is simply divine. Tickets are $25 through New Hope Arts, with proceeds benefiting New Hope Arts and Fisherman’s Mark.
22nd Annual High Heel Drag Race
Sunday, October 25 | Festivities begin at 2 p.m.; race begins at 3 p.m. | S Main St & W Mechanic St, New Hope, PA 18938
Think you have what it takes to race in heels? Register for the 22nd Annual High Heel Drag Race and dress for this year’s theme, “Over the Rainbow.” Hosted by Miss Pumpkin, contestants will race up the hill in heels at least three inches high while carrying pumpkins, decorate them, and dash back down as the crowd cheers. Pre-race festivities begin at 2:00 PM, followed by the race at 3:00 PM. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a first-time racer, or an enthusiastic spectator, come celebrate one of New Hope’s most iconic and inclusive traditions.
High Heel Drag Race After Party
Sunday, October 25 at 4 p.m. | Havana New Hope, 105 S. Main St., New Hope, PA 18938
Keep the celebration going at the Official High Heel Drag Race After Party! Hosted by Miss NHC 2026 Athena Chanteuse, the party will feature fabulous drag performances, music, drinks, and plenty of post-race fun. After the heels have raced and the confetti has fallen, gather with friends and fellow spectators to cap off one of the town’s most iconic traditions. A $10 suggested donation at the door supports New Hope Celebrates and Pride 2027.
For additional information about OUT in October events and ticketing, visit the New Hope Celebrates events calendar.
New Executive Board Appointments
New Hope Celebrates has also announced the election of board members Ann Major and Jason Chun to the organization’s Executive Board. Major will serve as Vice President of Finance, and Chun will serve as Vice President of Communications. They join President Rich Lucarini, Vice President of Events Quinten Darling and Vice President of Governance Kelly Beck-Kay.
Ann Major, Vice President of Finance
Ann joined the New Hope Celebrates Board of Directors in 2025 after volunteering with the organization for several years. A Bucks County resident for 20 years, she lives in New Hope with her wife, Mara. Drawing on her experience as a small-business owner, Major brings pragmatism, ingenuity and focus to NHC’s financial operations.
Jason Chun, Vice President of Communications
Jason joined the New Hope Celebrates Board of Directors in 2025 after volunteering with the organization and competing in the 2024 High Heel Drag Race. He lives in Lambertville with his husband and serves as assistant vice president of talent and client success at Pyramid Consulting Group. In his NHC leadership role, Chun will support the organization’s communications strategy, align its marketing channels and help develop event campaigns.
As NHC looks ahead, applications for new members of the Board of Directors will be accepted in October. The organization is seeking engaged community members who can contribute their time, talents and ideas to advancing NHC’s mission and supporting its events and programs. Candidates with experience in graphic design, website maintenance, event planning and vendor coordination are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants must be 21 or older and available to participate in meetings and events in New Hope and Lambertville. Prospective candidates can reach out to volunteers@newhopecelebrates.com for more information.
