The annual Pride Festival that celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ culture in Dayton, recognized as the “Queersest City in the Nation” by The Advocate, kicks off Friday, June 5th with a brand new event. The Affair on the Square will kick off at 5pm and features the infamous and ever colorful Rubi Girls on the PNC stage. Guests can enjoy food from Zombie Dogz, Hunger Paynes, Jimmies StrEATery and Go Cupckae as well as beverages from the Bud Light Beer Truck.
Title Sponsor PNC’s Dave Mellon, Dayton Market Regional President will officially open the PRIDE festivities with remarks on why fostering an inclusive work environment is a business advantage e and improves staff morale for PNC. The Greater Dayton LGBT Center will then honor local businesses that are Champions of Equality.
This is a weekend you will not want to miss! “The LGBT community is made up of many individuals from all walks of life, so come out and show your PRIDE in being an individual,” states Randy Phillips, President of the Greater Dayton LGBT Center. “The goal of Pride is for every individual to have freedom to be who they are. That is not the case in Russia, among other places,” Phillips said. The average attendance over the past several years has been 3000 for the parade and festival.
Saturday, June 6th kicks off with a Pride Breakfast at MJ’s on Jefferson at 9am (suggested donation $5), followed by the PRIDE Parade, which steps off at noon from Cooper Park and ends at Courthouse Square. Grand Marshall’s Michelle Kay of PNC and Bella Harlow, Miss Diva US of A 2015, will lead over 30 participants including local businesses, organizations, churches, drill teams, and other LGBTQ supporters.
Mayor Nan Whaley will officiate at the annual commitment ceremony that the Greater Dayton LGBT Center has presented each year, until marriage equality is honored for all citizens in Ohio. Pride will continue on the PNC Stage with entertainment featuring the best in live vocals and local celebrity entertainment in a family friendly setting. The Festival plaza is sold out again with over 50 vendors including LGBTQ organizations, local businesses and varie
ty of food, will l be on hand until 4pm.
At 8pm the Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus will perform along with Tonya and Grammy winning superstar Jennifer Holliday at the Victoria Theatre in a Broadway Revue.
Wheat Penny Oven and Bar will host a special, once-a-year Sunday Brunc
h on Sunday, June 7 from 10am -2pm. Breakfast Pizzas, Egg and Sausage Poorboys, Liz’s famous Fried Chicken and Waffles with Spicy Rosemary Honey, Cocktails galore and who knows what else! Can’t wait to see everybody! Proceeds benefit the Greater Dayton LGBT Center.
Volunteers are still needed to help with PRIDE, you can sign up to help online here.
