Clermont County may be the eighth oldest county in Ohio, but it is the newest to host a Pride celebration.
The inaugural Clermont County Pride promises a full day of exciting activities and community building on Saturday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Riverside Park in Milford, Ohio.
Located just 30 minutes east of downtown Cincinnati, the suburban and rural county encompasses the cities of Milford and Loveland, the village of Batavia, and a number of smaller communities.
Several passionate residents of this politically conservative locale felt compelled to organize their own grassroots Pride celebration this year – one that’s highly communal in nature and geared specifically toward the lived experiences of local LGBTQ+ individuals.
The event will host various food trucks, over 55 vendors, energetic music, face painting and several drag shows throughout the day.
Organizers of this inaugural event are aiming to establish Clermont County’s unique foothold in the Greater Cincinnati LGBTQ+ community, serving as a distinct and exciting addition to existing parades and festivals. Ashli Sheldon has spearheaded these efforts, with the assistance and support of her mother, Melanie.
Ashli Sheldon’s collegiate years spent at Brescia University allowed her to develop a broader, more inclusive perspective on love. “I got to see how love can be in so many different ways, with so many different people – it’s beautiful,” she reflects.
Though this perspective has become standard thinking in her own life, she is attentive to Clermont County’s past and present limitations in embracing and celebrating LGBTQ+ individuals.
With the help of other like-minded county constituents, Sheldon hopes that this inaugural Pride event sparks an era of greater acceptance in Clermont County. The event aims to develop a stronger sense of hope and unity in the area, serving as a direct representation of love’s many beautiful forms.
Drawing contrast to the larger and more densely populated Pride celebrations taking place in downtown Cincinnati this June, Clermont County’s event is intended to be more intimate. The event will take place rain or shine.
“It’ll just be at a little park. It’s not streets and streets citywide,” Sheldon said. “It’s going to be fun and carefree, and there will be lots of things for all ages.” 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- Learn more about Clermont County Pride by visiting their Facebook event page here.
- The Buckeye Flame’s 2025 Ohio Pride Guide is available here.
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