Granville Pride to host second Pride Parade June 25 at arts quad

During June, cities across the U.S. celebrate the LGBTQ community and Pride Month – and Granville is no exception.

Granville’s second annual Pride Parade will kick off June 25 at Denison University’s arts quad, located on West Broadway. Prior to the parade commencing at 5 p.m., those participating will hear from speakers while they organize.

This year, the parade route will run on West College Street, Prospect Street, Broadway, Elm Street, Main Street and

Mulberry Street. Every street on the parade route will be closed during the event excluding Broadway, which will remain open.

Many local businesses and entities are sponsoring the parade this year including Dension, Ray Rays, Owens Corning and First Federal Savings.

Nearly 1,000 people participated in the parade last year, many of whom brought signs and flags, which was a surprise to those who organized the event given they only spent two weeks putting it together.

“As an openly gay, married father of two, a 6 and 7 year old, it (the support) meant everything. We had just bought a house here and we had just moved here to take part in being a part of Granville,” Mark Carr, president of Granville Pride, said. “The fact that many people showed up to support my lifestyle and other lifestyles was huge.”

This year, Carr expects about 2,000 people to participate in the parade. While the amount of participation in the parade last year was a surprise, Carr said it only echoed the affirming values of Granville.

As Intel moves into Licking County, Carr said that support for the LGBTQ community is especially important as those families move to Granville and surrounding areas.

“We want all of those new people that are coming in – all that new talent comes with diverse backgrounds, and that includes being gay, or non binary or transgender,” Carr said. “We want them to know that Granville welcomes them with open arms. What that does is that builds our town, that builds our community.”

Following the parade, which will finish back at the arts quad, there will be food trucks, local vendors and booths as well as performances from entertainers such as drag queens and musicians.