The Pride Festival of Central Pennsylvania, considered by some the largest summer celebration of gay and lesbian culture between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, will be minus its traditional parade this summer.

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Event organizers say the subtraction is due primarily to problems they are experiencing in obtaining permits from the city of Harrisburg, the event's traditional host.

Festival Chairman Brad Martin confirmed the cancellation this afternoon in an interview with The Patriot-News.

Martin said in repeated calls, the city's Parks & Recreation Department has been unable to help the event get a permit for the parade, or even tell organizers how much it would cost.

"We're getting no help from the city. It just seems like they can't get their act together this year," Martin said.

Martin said all other aspects of the festival, tentatively scheduled for July 31, are expected to go on as they have in the past.