The first ever Pink in the Park was held at PeoplesBank Park on October 28, 2021, bringing approximately 500 people together for a Grease themed food festival style event. Pink Power raised $155,000 for local breast cancer patients in need, reaching a grand total of a half million dollars raised in just five years! What a magnificent milestone!
PeoplesBank Park was transformed from a baseball stadium to a scene right out of the movie Grease. Pink Ladies, T-birds sporting their black leather jackets and slicked back hair, poodle skirts, red stilettos, and candy cigarettes were in abundance. Grease played on the Jumbotron as guests sang along to “Born to Hand Jive,” “You’re the One That I Want,” and “We Go Together.” 10 Downtown York Restaurants treated our attendees with their favorite dishes, and pink bars on home base, first, second, and third is where you could find signature cocktails, wine and beer. A 1956 pink thunderbird convertible parked on the field was the perfect photo opp for guests to be transported back in time.
Alex Gilliland, otherwise known as Vince Fontaine from American Bandstand, welcomed everyone and introduced our entertainment as we enjoyed Keystone Theatrics take the stage. The highlight of the evening was honoring 7-year breast cancer survivor, Richard Martin, the only male survivor on stage with 40 female survivors. Richard is 99 years old, is a World War II Navy Veteran, and a Purple Heart recipient. It truly was a special moment.
Victoria Connor, our emcee, entertained the crowd as she gave several nods to our favorite Greasers. Video messages were played by several Grease actors, including Frankie Avalon who sang a few versus from Beauty School Dropout and Didi Conn (Frenchie) who made us all honorary pink ladies. Our video messages concluded with a special 5-year anniversary shoutout from Hoda Kotb and York Native, Bobby Spencer, original cast of Jersey Boys.
“This was such a fabulous themed event and the first time we invited men to join us,” said Denise Gilliland, Founder and President of Pink Power. It was so wonderful to be together in person again, after having to go virtual the previous year due to the pandemic. It makes you realize the importance of being together, sharing laughter and making memories.
Proceeds from Pink in the Park will benefit breast cancer patients in need at Penn State Cancer Institute, UPMC Hillman Care Centers; WellSpan York Cancer Center; and Pink Ink Project.