Party With Pride

Toledo Local Features | By Deanna Huffman | 08/26/2015 11:00 am

Last year, over 18,000 people gathered in the streets of downtown Toledo to celebrate the diversity, unity, and acceptance of the LGBTQIA community. This weekend, the 6th annual Toledo Pride Festival is doing it again.

Toledo Pride is a series of events spread over three days, August 28-30. The first event, Nite Glo 5K and the 1-Mile Fun Run, will kick off Pride at 8pm, Friday, August 28, with check-in and registration at 7pm. For the first time, the race will take place in International Park in downtown Toledo. As the sun sets, runners will enjoy a course illuminated by black lights and glow sticks.

After the race, the event moves to Promenade Park from 10pm – 1am. for the official Toledo Pride kickoff celebration, KISS ‘N’ Drag. This drag show and dance party, presented by 92.5 KISS FM, will feature area drag kings and queens as they collaborate with on-air personalities from the radio station. Admission is $5 ($3 if you bring a non-perishable donation item, and free for Nite Glo 5K runners). All proceeds will benefit the Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Bank.

Beginning at noon Saturday, the Pride Parade will wind through the streets of downtown Toledo, leading to the Festival in Promenade Park. The Grand Marshal for this year’s parade, Jim Obergefell, was the lead plaintiff in the recent U.S Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Mr. Obergefell, an Ohio native, played an integral role in the Supreme Court ruling. He will lead the parade that not only celebrates diversity, but also equality for the LGBTQIA community.

After the parade, the all-day festival will kick into high gear and feature live entertainment and over 100 different food, beverage and merchandise vendors. Always ABBA, an ABBA tribute band, is the headlining act. Additionally, the Sandpiper Boat will be offering 40-minute Pride Rides on the Maumee River. For the first time, rides are free with Toledo Pride admission and they will be given at 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, and 5pm.

Sunday is dubbed “Sunday Funday;” a family-friendly day at Promenade Park, beginning at noon. Toledo Pride will host many activities for children and families including the Bird’s Eye View Circus, live music, games and prizes. The live entertainment and food will continue until 10pm, and admission is free for all ages.

This year, for the first time, Toledo Pride will also provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation throughout the entire weekend. The goal is for Pride to be more inclusive and enjoyable for the entire LGBTQIA community and its allies. Toledo Pride will partner with Interlink (a community center for the deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing) to provide this service. Interpreters will be working alongside the festival’s MC’s all weekend long, and joining bands on-stage for some special performances.

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