Stark Pride expects a 'stronger activist spirit' at this year's festival

^{Photo by Kelly Klein / Courtesy of Stark Pride}

Pride celebrations in Columbus and Cleveland pull tens of thousands of attendees from across Ohio, but smaller, more rural Stark County seeks to bring just as much joy and resilience to its LGBTQ+ celebration.

Stark Pride will be held rain or shine on Saturday June 14, with the walk stepping off from the Cultural Center for the Arts on Market Ave in Canton. The walk will head to the Centennial Plaza, where the opening ceremonies are set to begin at 2 p.m.

Drag performers and musical acts will entertain festival-goers throughout the day until 9 p.m.. Food trucks, dancing and youth activities are also scheduled.

Over 100 performers and speakers will be featured throughout the day, said Jonathan Becker, entertainment director for the festival.

“All of our entertainers are local or regional artists with Midwestern roots,” he said.

Though the day is chock-full of entertainment, local organizations and grassroots efforts are Stark Pride’s focus, said Festival Co-Chair T.J. Horwood. The day is expected to have a “stronger activist spirit” and will highlight the queer community’s needs both statewide and in Stark County.

The activist spirit is needed as schools reduce support for systems protecting LGBTQ+ youth, rolling back inclusive policies and mental health services and threatening clubs like gay-straight alliances that offer community to queer youth, Horwood said.

More work is needed to provide education and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community, especially in more rural regions, he said.

Organizers expect over 7,000 people to attend Stark Pride, creating a “tight-knit, inclusive atmosphere.”

“You can’t help but bump into other people and share a ‘Happy Pride’ or other sentiment of support and celebration that just makes you feel good,” Horwood said. “There’s hope for an even more diverse, intergenerational presence, reflecting both joy and resilience.” 🔥